Shit You Don't Learn in School

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70. What Do You Want?! Sep 09, 2023

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Many people waddle through life without asking themselves a simple, but important question: What do I want?
In this episode, Steph and Cal discuss how to figure out what you want and avoid some common traps that take you down unhelpful detours.
The episode is based on two of Cal's recent articles, which you can read here:

This episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

69. Tipping Culture: Have We Gone Too Far? Sep 02, 2023

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Some people argue for tipping. Some people argue against. But the one thing that unites most people with an opinion on the topic is a lack of understanding of where the practice came from in the first place.
In this episode, Cal and Steph walk through the history of tip culture, how that led to vastly different norms around the world, and the confusing place we're left in today – especially in an era of Square terminals and where tipping seems to be infiltrating the unexpected.
Has tip culture gone too far? Listen in to find out.
This episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

68. The Cost of Excellence Aug 26, 2023

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The Master Somm test is widely recognized as one of, if not the hardest test in the world. Only 273 people have passed it since it was incepted in 1969, also making it one of the rarest distinctions out there (<0.00001% of the world!)
In this episode, Steph and Cal discuss some of the hardest human feats, from athletics to intelligence to, and whether a healthy ambition can lie behind them.
They also discuss where they've taken things the furthest, and where they're still driven to do more.
This episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

67. The Long Road to San Fransisco Aug 19, 2023

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After years of being nomadic, we embarked on an experiment of living in Encinitas. That experiment lasted 3 years, but provided us with a clearer view of what we wanted next.
But could we get past the multi-year stand-off around location and find a place that fit both of our needs? Listen in to find out.
This episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

66. The AI Debate: Where Do You Sit? Feb 16, 2023

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ChatGPT broke records in adoption, hitting 100m monthly active users in a matter of months... faster than any other web platform prior. Even faster than TikTok!
But with fast adoption comes equally swift resistance, surfacing questions around how this technology is changing the wider world. Should AI models be allowed in schools? How about the courtroom? Do stock image photographers have a fighting chance?
In this episode, Cal and Steph step into the shoes of many people tackling these difficult questions right now. From the middle school teacher to the college admissions officer, to the owners of a stock image sites, or even the head of the Bar Association... how would you respond? What questions would you be asking?
Listen in to hear Cal and Steph's takes.
This episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

65. Finding a Life Partner Feb 10, 2023

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One of the most important decisions in life is who you choose to spend your life with, yet it's also one of the hardest things to get right.
Inspired by a recent conversation with a friend that may have unrealistic expectations, Cal and Steph discuss the data behind dating, but also their own very different approaches to it... and if they ever ended up back on the market, how they might do things differently in an era dominated by apps.

64. The Weight of Things – From Physical to Digital Jan 19, 2023

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Have you ever looked around your home and thought, "Where did all this stuff come from?!"
Cal and Steph are currently going through this exercise, as they go through their first move in years.
It turns out they're not alone in this feeling of overwhelm and is shared by many others who used to be nomads. The need for *things* is universal, but so is the slippery slope to acquiring too many.
In this episode, Cal and Steph explore why weight of stuff – both physically and mentally – and how our decisions are often unconsciously driven by phenomena like the Diderot and Endowment effects. They also explore how our digital lives, although seemingly benign, can also turn into weights on your life and what simple frameworks they're using to change behavior.

63. The Best Sh*t We Learned in 2022! Jan 12, 2023

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Each January, Steph and Cal sit down to reflect on the prior year and this one is no different. You'll find out their...

Best New Idea
Best New Life Hack
Best New Experience
Best/Worst Purchase
Best/Worst Trend
Best Personal Win/Accomplishment
#1 Goal for Next Year
Prediction for the New Year

Jumpstart 2023 by doubling down on the best activities and avoiding the worst. It's going to be an awesome year.
PS: If you liked the sound effects in this episode, we found them here.
PPS: Since Steph now works at a16z, please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

62. Opportunity is Everywhere: Lupini Beans, Niche Sports, and More Nov 30, 2022

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A few weeks ago, Steph and Cal had a locksmith come in. It cost $185 and was shockingly quick... just 10 minutes! Little did they know it would also be the fodder for one of Steph's most popular tweets of all time.
Perhaps it shouldn't be surprising – people love learning about new opportunities. That's why they decided to record this (hopefully) recurring segment where they share various opportunities they've found in everyday things and how they're crafted a curious lens with time.
In this episode, they discuss 6 business ideas:

niche sports like freediving
second-hand LEGO markets
the AI education opportunity
lupini beans: the next healthy snack?
the story behind the music
using the full agave plant

Let us know if you liked this episode on Twitter. If there's enough demand, we'll continue to run it monthly.

61. Is Cheating Ever Okay? Nov 25, 2022

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There has been a wave of recent cheating scandals, from chess to poker to fishing. But cheating is not new, nor is it a rare occurrence. In fact, some articles sport stats like "75 to 98% of college students have cheated" or "over 46% of respondents in a monogamous relationship said they had affairs."
In this episode, Cal and Steph discuss when – if ever – cheating is okay. They even share their own experiences of being caught in the act and how it's shaped their perspectives since.

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