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In this episode, Descript CEO Laura Burkhauser talks about what it means to build a human-forward AI video company in a world flooded with synthetic content. Laura came to Descript by an unlikely path — German literature, then product management at companies like Salesforce — and became CEO because she believed in what Descript was building: tools that keep the story in human hands while AI handles everything underneath. Hear about why Descript is investing heavily in AI but not aiming to be the best at AI avatars or fully generated content. How Laura thinks about the 'simplifier' role of a CEO. What she means by three layers of AI video. How business teams have become Descript's fastest-growing audience. And why getting your team AI-native isn't something you can mandate — you have to engineer the conditions for each person's own conversion moment. Finally, Laura also gives her candid take on the Beta version of the Descript API: they don't have a killer use case yet, and they're actively inviting partners to help find one. Laura Burkhauser on LinkedIn Descript

Chelsea Howe is the Chief Product Officer at Sunblink, the studio behind the hit cozy life sim Hello Kitty Island Adventure. With deep experience in licensed games, live ops, & design leadership, she brings a sharp, systems-driven lens to how teams build, scale, & innovate. Listen as Chelsea shares how Sunlink is exploring AI in game development, what works & what absolutely falls apart, why game jams are secret engines of team learning, & how emerging trends from China may reshape the future of game design. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseahowe/ Sunblink: https://www.sunblink.com/

Lisha Li is the founder of Rosebud AI, a groundbreaking platform that makes game creation accessible to anyone. With roots in pure math & AI research, she’s transformed cutting-edge technology into creative tools that empower people to build, remix & share games in entirely new ways. Listen as we explore Lisha’s journey from academia & venture capital to launching Rosebud AI, & how she’s reimagining game design as a collaborative, ever-evolving ecosystem. Rosebud AI Linkedin

Hansohl Kim is an engineer at Anthropic, where he focuses on reinforcement learning & AI safety for models like Claude. With experience spanning computer science, biotech, & machine learning, he brings a unique perspective to the fast-changing world of artificial intelligence. Listen as Hansohl unpacks the challenges of alignment, the importance of guardrails, & what it takes to design AI systems we can truly trust. RELATED LINKS: 🌐 Anthropic – https://www.anthropic.com 💼 Hansohl Kim on LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/hansohl

Hugo Alves is the co-founder of Synthetic Users, a startup helping teams accelerate product development with AI-powered user feedback. What began as a bold idea evolved through iteration & a surprising pivot on the way to product-market fit. In this conversation, we explore where synthetic users shine—and where they fall short. You’ll hear Hugo’s lessons on using AI to simulate real users, plus a live demo of Synthetic Users in action. Join me as we dive into Hugo’s insights on building better products, faster—with the help of synthetic users. 🌐 Synthetic Users – https://www.syntheticusers.com 💼 Hugo Alves on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugomanuelalves

Amy Bucher is a leading voice in behavioral science & the author of Engaged, with a passion for designing systems that help people thrive—especially in health & wellness. Join us as we dive into Amy’s insights on what really drives behavior change, why personalization matters, & how her work at Lirio is bringing customized healthcare nudges to life. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybucher/ Engaged: https://amzn.to/4moF6Za Lirio: https://www.lirio.com/

Nate Bosshard is a visionary brand builder and entrepreneur who’s helped shape iconic companies like Burton, Tonal, and hims & hers through a rare blend of taste, intuition, and strategic insight. Join us as we explore Nate’s perspective on what makes a brand truly resonate, from crafting emotional worlds to resisting the pull of algorithmic influence. He shares hard-earned lessons on launching category-defining products, building brands that move culture, & why taste might just be your most valuable asset.

Vicki Tan is a seasoned product designer whose work spans Lyft, Headspace, & Pinterest. With a background in behavioral psychology, she brings a unique lens to decision-making and design. Join us as we explore Vicki’s journey, how she turned curiosity into a powerful creative tool, & why her new book "Ask This Book a Question" reimagines cognitive bias as a pathway to insight.

Jason Hreha is a leading expert in behavioral science & a serial entrepreneur who has helped shape the way we understand habit-building and human behavior. Join us as we catch up with Jason on what really matters when it comes to building lasting habits. From his groundbreaking work in applied behavioral science to launching & scaling multiple businesses, Jason shares key insights on designing behavior-driven products, cutting through the noise of self-improvement trends, and focusing on what truly works. 👉 Full video podcast available here: https://youtu.be/f4Gn46oQDPA

Andy Budd is a designer, entrepreneur, and investor making waves with his new book, The Growth Equation. With a background in UX design, web standards, and startup advising, Andy now helps founders navigate the complex world of venture funding and product growth. Listen as we explore Andy’s journey from building one of the first UX agencies in the UK to shaping the next generation of startups at Seedcamp. He shares invaluable insights on avoiding the Field of Dreams fallacy, mastering go-to-market strategies, and why a great product isn’t enough—you need to know how to sell it.

Nana Janashia is a pioneering force in DevOps education and founder of TechWorld with Nana, a seven-figure training powerhouse that's transformed how people learn DevOps engineering. Listen as we explore Nana's remarkable path from teaching English in Georgia to building a global tech education platform with over 1 million YouTube subscribers. She shares invaluable insights on structuring complex technical content, maintaining laser-sharp focus in business, and the critical importance of deeply understanding your customers.

Mark Jacobstein is a renowned figure in the gaming and tech universe, with three decades of experience building and leading companies at the forefront of new technologies. Having transitioned from a successful career as a Game Executive to becoming a Venture Builder, Mark offers a unique perspective on innovation and leadership. Listen as we explore his journey from the gaming world to venture building and the lessons he's learned along the way.

Ryan Douglas is the co-founder of DeepWell DTx, a digital therapeutics venture lab dedicated to creating immersive experiences that address mental health challenges. Recently, DeepWell DTx achieved a major milestone: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared five mental health apps, including DeepWell's software development kit (SDK). This marks the first time digital therapeutics have been approved for medical use, paving the way for games to be reimbursed through medical insurance.

Gina Pell, a digital media pioneer, runs an exclusive Facebook group with 27K members and a private professional women's network featuring world-class leaders, from early-stage entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 executives. Gina has built companies, audiences, and communities. She observes a significant shift happening online that will impact us all. Discover why she believes social media is transforming into something the world truly needs, especially now. The What Alliance: https://www.thewhatalliance.co/ What Women: http://thewhatlist.com/

Julie Dirksen is an author and learning strategy consultant, renowned for her expertise in creating impactful learning solutions. She wrote the bestselling book Design For How People Learn, and her latest release, Talk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change, is gaining significant attention. Julie’s diverse clientele includes Fortune 500 companies, international NGOs, tech startups, and research initiatives. Julie blends behavioral science with innovative learning design to craft transformative educational experiences, and her insights are reshaping learning strategies across various sectors.