Best Azeem Azhar Podcasts (2025)

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What 72hrs in China taught me about the future (AI, EVs, more) 22:19

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1d ago22:19

22:19

In this episode, I reflect on a whirlwind three-day visit to China - my first in over 20 years. And what I saw was remarkable. The infrastructure puts most of the West to shame. The AI isn't just hype - it's working at serious scale. And the electric vehicles? They're about to steamroll the global auto industry. Here's what really struck me during …

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396 Thursday Refresh: Emmanuel Daniel on Navigating the Great Transition - Personalization, Disintermediation, and the Future of Work 49:31

5h ago49:31

49:31

In this insightful episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli welcomes Emmanuel Daniel, global thought leader, futurist, founder of The Asian Banker, and author of The Great Transition: The Personalization of Finance is Here. Emmanuel brings a wealth of experience from decades of engaging with top financial leaders and institutions worldwide,…

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Achieving results in the physical world, with Adam Jarvis of “Public Service” 1:11:19

1d ago1:11:19

1:11:19

Patrick McKenzie is joined by Adam Jarvis, author of the Public Service substack and a New Zealand civil engineer and public sector veteran. They discuss how political capital constraints, funding misalignment across government levels, and accumulated regulatory "scar tissue" make infrastructure projects extraordinarily difficult. The conversation …

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395 [BEST OF] Greg Satell on How To Create A Movement That Drives Transformational Change 46:31

2d ago46:31

46:31

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Greg Satell, writer, speaker, innovation advisor, an expert on transformational change, and author of Cascades, shares lessons on how leaders can lead transformation in their organizations and the community. Greg Satell shares lessons learned from past transformations and how leaders can help lead change in…

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The AI infrastructure stack with Jennifer Li, a16z 45:50

8d ago45:50

45:50

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (@patio11) is joined by Jennifer Li, a general partner at a16z investing in enterprise, infrastructure and AI. Jennifer breaks down how AI workloads are creating new demands on everything from inference pipelines to observability systems, explaining why we're seeing a bifurcation between language models and diffusi…

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394 Leading in the Exponential Era: Futurist David Espindola on AI, Strategy, and the Future of Work 49:51

10d ago49:51

49:51

In this compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by David Espindola, a futurist and strategic advisor with deep expertise in technology, AI, and leadership. As the author of The Exponential Era and Soulful, Espindola brings a unique lens to the conversation—one that blends exponential technology insight with a deep unde…

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Microsoft EVP Rajesh Jha on leading with courage in the AI era 39:04

16d ago39:04

39:04

Rajesh Jha is Microsoft’s EVP of Experiences + Devices, which means he oversees a wide range of products, from Microsoft 365 productivity tools and Surface devices to Copilot. Jha played a pivotal role in integrating AI into the company’s offerings, and he joined the WorkLab podcast to share insights on navigating the complexities of becoming an AI…

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The problem with Altman’s “gentle singularity,” Apple’s AI missteps, and Google’s fading ad model | Live with Azeem Azhar 29:59

16d ago29:59

29:59

Broadcasting live from Paris, I tackle three massive technology stories that are reshaping our digital future. From Apple's stunning interface redesign to the collapse of traditional search advertising, and Sam Altman's vision of an AI singularity that's already begun - this episode captures the tectonic shifts happening in tech right now. I cover:…

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Microsoft EVP Rajesh Jha on leading with courage in the AI era 37:48

16d ago37:48

37:48

Rajesh Jha is Microsoft’s EVP of Experiences + Devices, which means he oversees a wide range of products, from Microsoft 365 productivity tools and Surface devices to Copilot. Jha played a pivotal role in integrating AI into the company’s offerings, and he joined the WorkLab podcast to share insights on navigating the complexities of becoming an AI…

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393 Embracing Infinite Possibilities in Leadership: Lessons from Astronaut, Physician, and CEO Dr. Bernard A. Harris 42:48

17d ago42:48

42:48

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Bernard Harris, a leader whose extraordinary career trajectory—from physician to NASA astronaut to CEO and venture capitalist—offers rare insights into the inner work of leadership. Dr. Harris is the first African American to walk in space, and the author of Embracing Infinite…

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Getting better at LLMs, with Zvi Mowshowitz 51:50

22d ago51:50

51:50

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (patio11) recorded with Zvi Mowshowitz (TheZvi) live at the LessOnline conference. They explore practical strategies for getting better results from large language models. Zvi explains how to customize AI behavior through thoughtful system prompts, while Patrick shares techniques for using LLMs as writing partners …

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OpenAI’s CPO on what’s coming next: Hardware, GPT-5, Jony Ive, agents, more 53:56

24d ago53:56

53:56

This week, I'm speaking with Kevin Weil, Chief Product Officer at OpenAI, who is steering product development at what might be the world's most important company right now. We talk about: (00:00) Episode trailer (01:37) OpenAI's latest launches (03:43) What it's like being CPO of OpenAI (04:34) How AI will reshape our lives (07:23) How young people…

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392 Section CEO Greg Shove on Leading Through AI: Rethinking Business Models, Talent, and Strategy 56:57

24d ago56:57

56:57

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Greg Shove, CEO of Section and a serial entrepreneur with a deep track record of leading transformative growth. Shove’s leadership journey includes multiple successful pivots, and in this conversation, he brings a uniquely grounded perspective on how AI is fundamentally changing …

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391 Thursday Refresh: Simon Bailey on Resilience and Brilliance: Unleashing Leadership Potential and Lessons from Disney 33:15

29d ago33:15

33:15

In this insightful episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, Mahan Tavakoli engages in a deep and inspiring conversation with Simon T. Bailey, a renowned speaker, leadership expert, and author of Resilience@Work: How to Coach Yourself Into a Thriving Future. Simon is best known for his work on personal and professional brilliance, with a focus …

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Machine learning meets malware, with Caleb Fenton 1:21:16

29d ago1:21:16

1:21:16

Patrick McKenzie (patio11) discusses software reversing and AI's transformative impact on cybersecurity with Caleb Fenton, co-founder of Delphos Labs. They explore how LLMs are revolutionizing the traditionally tedious work of analyzing compiled binaries, the nation-state cyber warfare landscape, and how AI is shifting security from reactive to pro…

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Tyler Cowen on how AI will reorder economies, schools, and spirituality 48:58

30d ago48:58

48:58

Economist and polymath Tyler Cowen challenges Silicon Valley's optimistic projections about AI-driven economic growth. We explore what could slow AI's economic impact, despite its remarkable capabilities – and where humans find the new normal amidst major shifts. Timestamps: (00:00) Episode trailer (01:47) The problem with Silicon Valley's AI-driv…

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390 Beyond Engagement: What Great Leaders Actually Do Differently to Earn Commitment with Dave Garrison, Author, The Buy-In Advantage 40:58

1M ago40:58

40:58

What if your employees appear engaged, but aren’t truly committed? In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dave Garrison, an experienced CEO, board member, and author of The Buy-In Advantage: Why Employees Stop Caring and How Great Leaders Inspire Commitment. Drawing on his work with companies like Ameritrade and his ex…

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The Estée Lauder Companies’ VP Kalindi Mehta on Leveraging AI Agents for Consumer Insights 20:16

1M ago20:16

20:16

The beauty industry is massive, fast-paced, and hard to predict. There are 20,000 brands worldwide, and microtrends can spread around the globe in hours. That’s the challenge facing Kalindi Mehta, Global VP for Consumer Foresight Strategy and Predictive Analytics at the Estée Lauder Companies. In the latest episode, she lays out how AI is transform…

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How to negotiate your salary package 45:21

1M ago45:21

45:21

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (patio11) revisits his widely-shared negotiation essay, which he notes may be the most impactful thing he's done in his career aside from VaccinateCA. The essay covers the psychology and tactics of salary negotiation, emphasizing that engineers have turned being bad at negotiation into a "perverse badge of virtue" …

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GitHub CEO on what AI means for developer salaries, SaaS, and more 53:45

1M ago53:45

53:45

Thomas Dohmke, CEO of GitHub, joins Azeem to explore how AI is fundamentally transforming software development. In this episode you'll hear: (01:50) What’s left for developers in the age of AI? (04:54) How GitHub Copilot unlocks flow state (07:09) Three big shifts in how engineers work today (10:47) Is software development art or assembly line? (15…

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389 Small Shifts, Big Impact: Leadership Lessons from Mike Mears, Former CIA HR Chief and Founder of the CIA Leadership Academy 51:47

1M ago51:47

51:47

What happens when even the most powerful leaders pull every lever they’ve been taught to use—bonuses, metrics, training—and nothing changes? That’s the question that set Mike Mears, former CIA Chief of Human Capital, on a mission to rethink leadership from the inside out. In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mike joins Mahan Tavakoli to share …

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The capitalist's guide to podcasting, with Ross Rheingans-Yoo 1:03:27

1M ago1:03:27

1:03:27

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (patio11) and returning guest Ross Rheingans-Yoo discuss the strategic advantages of starting a podcast, particularly for professionals seeking to build trust, expand their networks, and support fundraising efforts. They explore the nuts and bolts of podcast production models, recording logistics, transcript creati…

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Inside Box’s AI playbook with founder & CEO Aaron Levie 48:47

1M ago48:47

48:47

Aaron Levie, CEO & co-founder of Box, joins Azeem Azhar to explore how an “AI-first” mindset is reshaping every layer of Box – from product road-maps to pricing – and what that teaches the rest of us about building faster, smarter organisations. Timestamps: (00:00) Episode trailer (02:04) The "lump of labor fallacy" in sci-fi books (07:37) When ind…

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“China and America: The Error Bounds Are Larger Than We've Seen in Decades”: An Interview with Jordan Schneider 1:04:49

1M ago1:04:49

1:04:49

🇨🇳 After publishing my in-depth piece on advanced manufacturing in China, I was struck by the volume and intensity of feedback it generated. The numerous interactions and follow-on discussions made it clear that China, once again, emerged as a subject I needed to explore much more deeply. As is often the case when I embark on such a learning journe…

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388 Mastering Uncertainty: Lessons from Former Navy SEAL Commander Rich Diviney on Leading Yourself and Your Team When Nothing Goes as Planned 45:40

2M ago45:40

45:40

In this timely and compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli welcomes back Rich Diviney, retired Navy SEAL Commander and bestselling author of The Attributes. This conversation focuses on Rich’s latest book, Mastering Uncertainty, and delivers insights highly relevant to leaders navigating today’s volatile, complex environment. Wi…

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Killing viruses with light, with Jacob Swett 1:01:43

2M ago1:01:43

1:01:43

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (patio11) is joined by Jacob Swett of Blueprint Biosecurity to discuss far UVC technology - a specialized wavelength of UV light that kills airborne pathogens while remaining safe for humans. Jacob explains how widespread deployment of this technology in schools, hospitals, and public spaces could dramatically redu…

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China’s catching up to US AI… Here’s why it won’t matter 49:17

2M ago49:17

49:17

Lennart Heim, a researcher and information scientist at RAND Corporation, joins Azeem Azhar to unpack a provocative claim: China is catching up with US AI capabilities, but it doesn't matter. Timestamps: (00:00) Episode trailer (01:19) Lennart’s core thesis (03:26) Why compute matters so much (07:31) The investment split between model R&D and mo…

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Cassie Kozyrkov on How AI Can Be a Leadership Partner 23:37

2M ago23:37

23:37

Cassie Kozyrkov created the discipline of decision intelligence, combining the power of AI with data science to enable companies to make better choices. She’s now an AI advisor, and she writes the popular Decision Intelligence newsletter. Kozyrkov joined the WorkLab podcast to discuss how leaders can maximize the potential of AI and data, why havin…

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387 You Can’t Outsmart AI—But You Can Out-Human It: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World with Mark Schaefer 51:20

2M ago51:20

51:20

In this compelling episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, Mark Schaefer returns to share fresh, provocative insights from his latest book, Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World. A globally respected marketing strategist, bestselling author, and deep observer of technological change, Schaefer brings sharp clarity to a pressing le…

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Life insurance and your money, with Zac Townsend 1:20:53

2M ago1:20:53

1:20:53

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (patio11) is joined by Zac Townsend, a serial founder and CEO of Meanwhile, a fully regulated life insurance company operating in Bitcoin. They explore the differences between life and property insurance, explain why term life is essential financial protection everyone should consider, and dive into the tax benefit…

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What does Spain’s blackout mean for the future of clean energy? 41:48

2M ago41:48

41:48

Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy, joins Azeem to discuss the Iberian blackout and how we can create a more stable, flexible, and resilient energy grid for the future. This conversation digs into grid technology, market structures, and the real opportunities of the clean energy transition. (00:00) Episode trailer (01:38) What caused the Iberian …