I'm the co-founder of Transistor.fm (podcast hosting and analytics). I write about SaaS marketing, bootstrapping startups, pursuing a good life, building calm companies, business ethics, and creating a better society.
Eye-opening experience
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Happy Saturday! Here are a few things on my mind... Warren Buffett's gameGreat post on Farnam Street: Students often go to visit Warren Buffett. And when they do, he often plays a little game on them.
He asks each student to pick the classmate they would choose if they could have 10% of their earnings for the rest of their life. Which classmate would you pick and why?
Then he changes things up again. Who would you think least likely to succeed? Why?
He asks the students to take out a sheet of paper and list the positive attributes on the left and the negative ones on the right.
Inevitably, the most useful qualities have nothing to do with IQ, grades, or family connections. People pick based on generosity, kindness, and integrity.
Who would you choose? Which personal qualities matter most to you? Helping a filmmakerI’m helping a filmmaker who’s made the definitive documentary on the history of podcasting. The film is called The Age of Audio. Here’s the trailer: The filmmaker's name is Shaun Michael Colón (he's the creator of another documentary I loved, A Fat Wreck). The whole experience has been eye-opening. I've always loved documentaries, and it's been fascinating to see behind the scenes how these films get initial funding, made, and then distributed. Shaun's tenacity blows me away. It took him seven years to make the movie, and he has faced tons of obstacles along the way. From the Dallas Observer: Just two years ago, Colón was worried that his vision would never become reality. Even with interviews already secured with big-name podcasters, including Marc Maron, Ira Glass, and Kevin Smith, the funding he'd set aside for the documentary had dried up. My goals are to:
PS: If you're really keen to see the movie (and help review it on IMDB/Letterboxd), reply to this email. I'll send a screener to a few of you to watch the whole thing. PPS: If you're interested in sponsoring (and having your company logo appear in the credits), please let me know! What goes viral?I keep thinking of this quote by Dax: "The things that go the most viral are the things that are contrarian in a shallow way." Feels so true. Thoughts? Let me hear them! Also, if you have a friend who would like this, please tell them to subscribe! Cheers, PS: We had a mystery guest join us on The Panel! 👀 |
Justin's newsletter
I'm the co-founder of Transistor.fm (podcast hosting and analytics). I write about SaaS marketing, bootstrapping startups, pursuing a good life, building calm companies, business ethics, and creating a better society.
Happy New Year! Today, I'm sending you my annual review. (A little later than I'd hoped!) For over a decade now (twelve years!), I've been writing these annual reviews. Each one captures a snapshot of my journey – the wins, the struggles, and everything in between. 👉 Read my 2025 year in review One thought (from my review) I've been contemplating: Product people will become more valuable in 2026. If you're someone who understands how customer demand is created, how it grows, and can translate...
Hey friends, Justin and Brian are going live at 12:15 pm Pacific today: Can't believe this is the last episode of 2025! 🤯 Today: 2025 year recap + 2026 outlook Come join us in the chat! Cheers,Justin Jackson – BlueskyBrian Casel – Bluesky | Twitter PS: thanks to everyone who shows up in chat + leaves comments on Bluesky, YouTube, etc for the show. We ❤️ that!
Happy Saturday! Here are a few things on my mind... Adam Wathan has a new podcast where he walks and talks about what's on his mind. And it's great. ADAM'S MORNING WALK • EPISODE 1 The Tailwind business ain't what it used to be 29:13 MORE INFO View the podcast website How high is customer demand? Successful startups don't create demand. They position themselves in the path of existing demand. In a good market, customers provide their own motivation. I made a video about this: Your job isn't...