Future Squared with Steve Glaveski

Steve Hughes is an internationally renowned stand up comedian who tells it like it is, refusing to shy away from the confonting and what is often interpreted as controversial. Steve is incredibly observant, bringing with him worldly insights into the bleeding obvious and comes armed with what he says is more issues than an Occupy movement.Steve spent the first half of his career as a heavy metal drummer for bands such as Mortal Sin before burning up the international comedy circuit, which he has been doing for more than 12 years now, having toured throughout Europe, Australia, USA, Canada & New Zealand to rave reviews and mutinous laughter.However, don’t be fooled, this conversation goes way beyond the realm of just comedy and heavy metal and we spend the majority of the two hours exploring topics such as political correctness and identity politics, Steve’s battle with depression, free will, the suppression of freedom of speech, preference falsification, feminism, disidentification with ego, leaning into adversity and bombing onstage, the state of the music industry, drugs, technology addiction, participation trophies and much much more.A word of warning, this podcast is not safe for work, and is not for the faint at heart.With that, let’s kick off my two hour deep dive with the inimitable Steve Hughes.Note: This podcast episode is NSFW.Topics Discussed:Political correctnessIdentity politicsSteve’s battle with depressionFree willThe suppression of freedom of speechPreference falsificationDisidentification with egoLeaning into adversityBombing on stageThe state of the music industryAustralia’s tall poppy syndromeBeware of people bearing absolutesLegislating feelingsWhy the crowd is your barometerLeading with your heartBuddhism and non-dualismDrugsTaking ownership and victim mentalitiesWhy being offended is a choiceLiving with Jim JefferiesTechnology addictionParticipation trophiesColonial regulations and Conservatism in AustraliaSteve’s views on general practitionersSteve’s early days on the metal sceneSteve’s early days on the comedy circuitShow Notes:Steve’s website: www.SteveHughes.net.au 

My guest today is Preston Troutt, the founder of the innovative crowdfunding platform, Crowdsurf.Preston is a dynamic entrepreneur aiming to transform how we invest in creators, turning the conventional investor model on its head.In this episode, we'll explore how Crowdsurf allows fans and followers to invest directly in their favorite creators, the origin of this groundbreaking idea, and how the model works.We'll dive into the platform's progress, the types of creators raising funds, and share some success stories.Preston will also discuss transparency for investors, including income tracking and investor protections.We'll tackle some challenges creators face in monetizing their content, and discuss how Crowdsurf addresses these issues. Plus, we'll cover who can invest, the minimum investment required, and the criteria used to select creators.Furthermore, Preston will shed light on navigating the regulatory landscape with SEC and FINRA compliance, managing investment risks, and supporting creators to ensure long-term growth.We'll also explore the distribution of revenue to investors and Preston's vision for the future of Crowdsurf and the creator economy's impact on traditional industries.Show NotesCrowdsurf: https://crowdsurf.xyzConnect with SteveFollow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/steveglaveski Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram/thesteveglaveski Subscribe to my newsletter: https://futuresquared.xyzFuture Squared YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@futuresquaredpodListen to Future Squared on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

My guest today is Alex Roslaniec, hes a co-founder of fast-growing skincare company, Hey Bud.Hey Bud was founded just 4.5 years ago, and is today available in 130 countries, boasts 200,000 customers, and is stocked in 400 Priceline stores across Australia.We discussed:How Hey Bud differentiated itself in a saturated cosmetics and skincare marketThe power of online reviewsThe role of influencer marketingHow being beholden to algorithms and pay-per-click ads can be the undoing of a businessHow Hey Bud got a distribution deal with Priceline, marking its move from online into physical retailThe perils of manufacturingThe regulatory landscape for hemp-based productsHow to hire great talentAnd so much more.There are so many actionable tips in this one for anyone building a business so strap yourself in for my conversation with the one and only, Alex Roslaniec.Resources and LinksHey Bud Skincare: https://heybudskincare.com (get 15% off with FUTURESQUARED15)The Great CEO Within book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Great-CEO-Within-Tactical-Building-ebook/dp/B07ZLGQZYC Connect with UsFollow me on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/steveglaveskiFollow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thesteveglaveski Subscribe to my newsletter: https://futuresquared.xyzTimestamps(00:02) - Intro(05:02) - Hey Bud's unique positioning in the skincare market and initial growth strategies.(10:02) - Key milestones and growth metrics, including expanding to 130 countries and gaining 200,000 customers.(15:02) - Origin story and personal journey of Alex and his co-founders, including challenges faced as first-time founders.(20:02) - Strategies for differentiating Hey Bud in a saturated market, focusing on online reviews and customer feedback.(25:02) - Importance of influencer marketing and the role it played in Hey Bud's early success.(30:02) - Manufacturing challenges and the complexities of scaling production.(35:02) - Regulatory landscape for hemp-based products and navigating legal requirements.(40:02) - Team dynamics, hiring strategies, and maintaining a lean but effective team.(45:02) - Long-term vision for Hey Bud, including expansion plans and future opportunities.(50:02) - Wrap-up and final thoughts from Alex on the future of Hey Bud and personal reflections.

Jason Fried thinks deeply about collaboration, productivity and the nature of work. He's the co-founder of project management platform Basecamp. Founded in 1999, Basecamp has been recognised by Forbes as one of America’s best small businesses. His 2010 TED talk on ‘Why Work Doesn’t Happen At Work’ has been viewed over 5 million times.He’s also the co-author of Rework, which is about new ways to conceptualize working and creating, as well as the brand new ‘It Doesn’t Have To Be Crazy At Work’, in which he rejects the prevailing notion that long hours, aggressive hustle, and "whatever it takes" are required to run a successful business today. The Economist called the book funny, well-written and iconoclastic and by far the best thing on management published this year.As somebody who shares many of Jason’s philosophies on work, I really enjoyed this conversation. Organisations are projected to invest US$2T into digital transformation by 2022 to make them more efficient, but they could reap what I would argue are vastly greater rewards, not only in terms of productivity but in terms of employee wellness, if they just changed the way they work today.Jason and I unpacked many lessons on productivity from his book, including:Why is everybody ‘so, so busy’?Why more people doesn’t mean faster or better outcomes; andA handful of simple changes that you can make today to radically increase your productivity and enjoyment of work and lifeTopics Discussed:Why being busy has become a badge of honourThe dangers of not getting enough sleepThe peril of managers and meetingsBrook’s LawWhy 80 hour work weeks aren’t spent actually workingFacilitating outcomes with a remotely distributed teamJason’s notion of a ‘calm company’Why Basecamp has rejected hundreds of offers from venture capitalists and investorsWhy raising capital shouldn’t be conflated with success for startupsSetting realistic deadlinesSo-called perks that are designed to keep people in the officeHow to defend your timeCommitment, not consensusUsing work as an excuse not to liveOvercollaboration in the workplaceOutsourcing accountability and blameHow to say noJason’s rituals and routinesShow Notes:Basecamp.com (project and team communications software)Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/Doesnt-Have-Be-Crazy-Work/dp/0062874780Twitter: @jasonfriedMedium: @jasonfriedJason’s TED Talk:  https://www.ted.com/talks/jason_fried_why_work_doesn_t_happen_at_work?language=en---Employee to Entrepreneur podcast on Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/employeetoentrepreneurpodcast Listen to Future Squared on Apple Podcasts @ goo.gl/sMnEa0 Also available on: Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn, Stitcher and Soundcloud Twitter: www.twitter.com/steveglaveski Instagram: www.instagram.com/@thesteveglaveski Future Squared: www.futuresquared.xyz Steve Glaveski: www.steveglaveski.com Medium: www.medium.com/@steveglaveski 

Julia Krieger is the managing partner of Pari Passu Venture Partners, a network of founders supporting founders. She has been both an operator and a venture investor and so has unique perspectives on all things startups and VCs.In this conversation, we explore:Julia’s time investing over $100M for Insight PartnersHer experience building sharing economy marketplace, VillageLuxeHow Pari Passu invests on an SPV model instead of a fund model, and the benefits of thisOperator-led VC firms v non-operator led VC firms and their respective meritsWhere the venture landscape and valuations are at todayThe impact of AI on capital efficiencyWarm v cold outreachTips for founders looking to raiseHow going through difficult times breeds empathyWe also touched on Scale AI’s meritocratic-based hiring process and how Julia thinks about backing diverse foundersTimestamps(00:02) - Discussion about balancing work and family, and the start of the podcast conversation.(00:07) - Reflection on investing over $100 million in Marketplace and SAS companies, and insights into the Russian tech ecosystem in the early 2010s.(00:12) - Detailed discussion about the operational model and cultural philosophy at Insight Partners.(00:17) - Transition from Insight Partners to founding Village Lux, and the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.(00:22) - Discussion on the lessons learned from running Village Lux and transitioning to founding Pari Passu Ventures.(00:27) - Details on the setup of Paripasu Ventures and its unique investment approach through an SPV model.(00:32) - Discussion about the current venture capital environment, the importance of resilience in founders, and the impact of economic cycles on startup funding.(00:37) - Insights into how founders are adapting to the current economic environment and strategies for longer runway and fundraising.(00:42) - The philosophical and operational approach of Pari Passu Ventures, and the significance of supporting diverse founders.(00:47) - Concluding remarks and final thoughts on the future of startups, AI influence on business, and the importance of diverse and merit-based funding approaches.Resources and LinksPari Passu Venture Partners: https://ppvp.com Julia's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuliyagudish/ Pari Passu community app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/paripassu-invest-with-top-vcs/id6451420779 Connect with UsFollow me on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/steveglaveskiFollow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thesteveglaveski Subscribe to my newsletter: https://futuresquared.xyzOur SponsorGet your free content strategy: https://sonicboom.vcLeave us a review!Timestamps

My guest today is Chris Saad, he’s a seasoned product and startup builder, co-host of The Startup Podcast, and former Head of Product at Uber's Developer Platform.He’s been at the forefront of building companies since graduating high school the turn of the millennium, and has spent considerable time in both Australia’s and the United State’s tech and startup ecosystems, giving him a unique perspective on the differences between the two.We discussed:the apparent catch 22 of Australia’s social safety netthe difference in mindset between American and Australian foundersthe underlying geographic, political, and economic realitieswhy Australia’s investment ecosystem is unsophisticatedChris’ provocative thought son social justice activism amongst startup ecosystemsregulatory and tax landscapesand so much moreResources and LinksThe Startup Podcast: https://tsp.showChris Saad's website: https://www.chrissaad.comConnect with UsFollow me on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/steveglaveskiFollow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thesteveglaveski Subscribe to my newsletter: https://futuresquared.xyzOur SponsorGet your free content strategy: https://sonicboom.vcLeave us a review!Timestamps(03:00) - Contrast between California's wealth and homelessness(05:00) - Adjusting audio settings and reconnecting with Chris Saad(07:00) - Viral LinkedIn post about Australia's startup ecosystem(09:00) - Reactions to the LinkedIn post(12:00) - Comparing entrepreneurial ecosystems of Australia and US(15:00) - Impact of social safety nets on entrepreneurial spirit(17:00) - Differences in urgency and hustle culture(19:00) - Historical and cultural factors in Australian attitudes(20:00) - Statistics on unicorns per capita(23:00) - Characteristics of US vs. Australian entrepreneurs(25:00) - Scarcity vs. abundance mindset(27:00) - Challenges in the Australian startup ecosystem(29:00) - Importance of talent density(31:00) - Changes in Australian startup ecosystem(33:00) - Networking in Silicon Valley vs. Melbourne(35:00) - Value of Silicon Valley-based clients(37:00) - Impact of regulation on startups(39:00) - Tax and regulation differences between US and Australia(41:00) - Regulatory capture and its impact on startups(43:00) - Differences in divorce law between US and Australia(45:00) - Challenges in promoting fintech startups in Australia(47:00) - Sophistication of Australian investors(49:00) - Investor mindset and startup economics(51:00) - Rational exuberance in US investments(53:00) - Importance of early-stage startup enthusiasm(55:00) - Misunderstanding of startup risk in Australia(57:00) - Universal truths in startup success(59:00) - Social justice and its impact on startups(1:01:00) - Finding balance in social justice efforts(1:03:00) - Conclusion and where to find more of Chris Saad

This man needs no introduction but I’m going to give him one anyway.Robert Greene is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, The 50th Law and Mastery.His highly anticipated sixth book, The Laws of Human Nature, explores people's drives and motivations, even when they are unconscious of them themselves. Knowing why people do what they do is the most important tool we can possess, without which our other talents can only take us so far. Having read hundreds of business books myself, perhaps the books that have had the most profound positive impact on how I show up each day and how I conduct myself are books on psychology, behavioural economics, neuroscience and biological evolution. Books that ultimately helped me to understand myself and understand others. As such, I was really excited to read the Laws of Nature and speak with Greene about what is such a fundamental topic. In addition to having a strong following within the business world and a deep following in Washington, DC, Greene's books are hailed by everyone from war historians to the biggest musicians in the industry (including Jay-Z and 50 Cent). Expect to learn a ton from this conversation, but in particular, three key take-aways:1) How having an estimated 80 jobs before becoming an author shaped Greene’s world view and made him a better and more creative writer2) Why it is our moments of frustration where we often seek out life-changing answers3) How Greene seeks the path of what is ‘most right’ by looking at questions from multiple angles and contemplating many alternatives This just scratches the surface of the many enlightening things we discussed - just peek at the topics discussed in the show notes to get a feel for everything discussed - so with that, it gives me much pleasure to present you with one of the most pre-eminent authors of our time, the one and only, Robert Greene. Show Notes:1.  The Blog of Robert Greene: www.powerseductionandwar.com2.  Twitter: @RobertGreene3.  Greene’s Books: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Greene/e/B001IGV3IS4.  The Laws of Human Nature Book: https://www.amazon.com/Laws-Human-Nature-Robert-Greene/dp/0525428143 Connect with UsFollow me on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/steveglaveskiFollow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thesteveglaveski Subscribe to my newsletter: https://futuresquared.xyzOur SponsorGet your free content strategy: https://sonicboom.vcLeave us a review!If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with your friends.

In this episode, I sit down with international touring comedian Joe Avati, known for his hilarious takes on Italian-Australian life and its cultural quirks.Joe is currently in the midst of his When I Was Your Age world tour, and I had the pleasure of catching him perform in front of a sold out crowd of 450 people in Melbourne. Joe shares insights on early life, pursuing the arts, how he has dealt with the adversity of bombing, the grit needed to make it in any profession, why comedians shouldn’t get married, raising kids to be resilient in today’s climate, and the impact of political correctness on not just comedy, but on emerging generations of young people. Key Topics DiscussedTour Update: Joe talks about his ongoing tour across the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. He shares anecdotes from his recent shows and reflects on the global reach of his comedy.Early Life: Joe reminisces about growing up in Five Dock, Sydney, as the son of Italian immigrants. He discusses his family's move to Australia and how his heritage influenced his comedic style.Career Beginnings: Joe recounts his start in comedy at Sydney’s Original Comedy Store at the age of 21. He shares stories from open mic nights, the challenges he faced, and his journey to becoming a successful comedian.Family Expectations: Initially studying food science and aspiring to be a restaurateur, Joe discusses his family's reactions to his career choice and how they eventually embraced his path in comedy.Comedy in the Modern Era: Joe addresses the changes in comedy over the past 20 years, including the impact of social media and the rise of politically correct culture. He shares his thoughts on controversial comedy and pushing boundaries.Parenting in 2024: As a father, Joe talks about raising kids in today's world, the importance of resilience, and ensuring his children grow up well-adjusted.Celebrating Cultural Differences: Known for highlighting cultural quirks, Joe explains how he balances making fun of these quirks while also celebrating them, particularly in his Italian-Australian community.Resources and LinksJoe Avati's Official Website: https://www.joeavati.comConnect with UsFollow me on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/steveglaveskiFollow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thesteveglaveski Subscribe to my newsletter: https://futuresquared.xyzOur SponsorGet your free content strategy: https://sonicboom.vcLeave us a review!If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with your friends. Transcript(10:01) - Joe's take on comedians getting married and having kids late. (20:02) - Transition from food science to comedy. (25:01) - Joe's family reaction to his comedy career. (30:01) - Joe's perspective on being seen as Australian versus Italian. (35:18) - Joe's experiences with reverse jealousy and people changing. (40:02) - Joe's efforts to remain humble despite fame. (55:32) - Joe's thoughts on navigating today's political landscape as a comedian.