Best Bigtech Podcasts (2025)

People often think a technical partner will solve their product problems overnight. Sadly, it rarely works that way. Before you hand over equity to someone who can write code, you need to know what you're actually giving up. In this episode of Tech for Non-Techies, Sophia lays out the five risks that quietly derail teams when they rush into technic…

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210 - Keonne Rodriguez: Going to Prison for Privacy 50:52

Play Pause

4d ago50:52

50:52

Gabriel Custodiet speaks with Keonne Rodriguez, co-founder of the trendsetting Bitcoin wallet Samourai Wallet. Keonne was inexplicably arrested in a violent and oppressive military-style raid of his property in April of 2024. He was charged with the bizarre accusation of conspiracy to run an unlicensed money transmitter despite never transmitting m…

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COVID's Attack on the Church, with Rev. John Naugle, and Guest Host Jeffrey Tucker 1:12:42

5d ago1:12:42

1:12:42

There is a moral and psychological dimension to this multivalent attack on society we are undergoing. Jeffrey Tucker interviews Father John Naugle who has been fighting for workers and the freedom of religion since the disaster began in March 2020. Here he tells of his struggle to make worship possible, even as the secular authorities were fighting…

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280: The Build-vs-Buy Framework: When Off-the-Shelf Wins — and When Custom Tech Is Worth It 19:23

8d ago19:23

19:23

A popular debate is "build vs buy." Sadly, that's the wrong question. Here's the thing: shiny features and clever dashboards don't matter if you're solving the wrong problem. And picking the wrong path—custom tech when you don't need it, or off-the-shelf when it can't support your ambitions—can cost you six figures and months of lost momentum. In t…

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The Era of the Generalist: Rachel Been, SVP of Design for Expedia Group 43:17

22h ago43:17

43:17

In this episode, Liam speaks with Rachel Been, SVP of Design for Expedia Group, about her journey from photography to design leadership and why she believes this is "the era of the generalist." The conversation unpacks the recent launch of Expedia's new app on ChatGPT and what it means to design for "non-deterministic flows" and "infinite inputs." …

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She Didn't Start the Fire: An Interview with Alex Sullivan 1:07:41

12d ago1:07:41

1:07:41

Guest host Jeffrey Tucker fills in for Trish this week. A working professional mom with two young kids has her life turned upside-down by Covid lockdowns and controls. Alex Sullivan faces a choice: do nothing, or fight for her kids to have a normal life and good education. Thus began a wild journey that turned her into a different person. It's one …

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BLACK FRIDAY SALE - Escape The Technocracy 12:11

13d ago12:11

12:11

SHOP SALE HERE → https://escapethetechnocracy.com/By Gabriel Custodiet

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279: What to Do If You've Already Spent $100K on Developers and Have Nothing to Show for It 26:24

12d ago26:24

26:24

Founders assume that if they just hire "good developers," the product will magically take shape. Sadly, that's rarely what happens. Too many non-technical founders burn through $50K … $80K … even $100K, only to end up with half-baked code and zero users. Not because they're careless but because they skip the unsexy, zero-glamour work that actually …

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The Ostrich Massacre, with Guest Shaun Rickard 1:49:18

19d ago1:49:18

1:49:18

The facts about the ostrich massacre in BC are still coming out and raising some awful questions about Canada and our bureaucracies. But there is still much we don't know. The biggest question is why would they use such a cruel method with the whole world watching? Is it a message to the citizenry? Shaun Rickard joins us with his evidence. Plus, Tr…

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Feed Drop: "Into the Machine" with Tobias Rose-Stockwell 1:04:59

21d ago1:04:59

1:04:59

This week, we’re bringing you Tristan’s conversation with Tobias Rose-Stockwell on his podcast “Into the Machine.” Tobias is a designer, writer, and technologist and the author of the book “The Outrage Machine.” Tobias and Tristan had a critical, sobering, and surprisingly hopeful conversation about the current path we’re on AI and the choices we …

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Watchman Privacy UPDATE 25:15

21d ago25:15

25:15

MY PREMIUM NEWSLETTER → https://watchmanstorch.com → Join my exclusive privacy community MY PRIVACY TUTORIALS → https://escapethetechnocracy.com/ (including consulting) → https://watchmanprivacy.com (Gabriel's personal site) → https://twitter.com/watchmanprivacy SUPPORT INDEPENDENT GONZO TECHNO-ADVENTURE JOURNALISM → No sponsors. No ads. Just truth…

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278: The One Success Metric Every Non‑Technical Founder Must Know (Encore) 14:21

19d ago14:21

14:21

Many founders think their product's success can be measured in downloads or revenue. But here's the truth: those are business outcomes, not product goals. In this encore episode, Sophia breaks down the one success metric that every non-technical founder must understand before leading a tech team or pitching investors. By the end, you'll know how to…

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Jonathan Rose 2:47:56

26d ago2:47:56

2:47:56

An earth shattering story of loss, love and lies — one that Trish witnessed first-hand — now a best-selling book. 14-year-old Joey Philion was praised around the world as a hero after being catastrophically burned in a house-fire. But the story that drove that praise has fallen apart, revealing the high price of celebrity and victimhood and the fic…

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What if we had fixed social media? 16:54

28d ago16:54

16:54

We really enjoyed hearing all of your questions for our annual Ask Us Anything episode. There was one question that kept coming up: what might a different world look like? The broken incentives behind social media, and now AI, have done so much damage to our society, but what is the alternative? How can we blaze a different path? In this episode, T…

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277: Why You Shouldn't Use AI to Build Your Product 34:15

29d ago34:15

34:15

Every founder is looking for ways to save time and money. And right now, AI promises both. But here's the catch: while AI can write code, it can't think through your product's logic, security, or scalability. The result? A shiny prototype that collapses under real-world use. In this episode of Tech for Non-Techies, Sophia Matveeva interviews Natali…

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Karl Harrison, Shaun Rickard, and Regina Watteel 1:42:39

1M ago1:42:39

1:42:39

They just keep fighting for us! Karl Harrison and Shaun Rickard's lawsuit against vaccine travel mandates moves forward. Trish also hosts their expert witness, Regina Watteel, with evidence of no scientific basis for a draconian edict based on politics and power. Sign up for the hearings at: : https://cas-satj.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sxTVwcnJSD…

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276: How AI is Reshuffling the Rules of Business 38:22

1M ago38:22

38:22

How many founders think AI is about faster automation? What if the real opportunity lies in reimagining how entire systems work? Sophia Matveeva sits down with Sangeet Paul Choudary, best-selling author of Platform Revolution and Re/Shuffle: Who Wins When AI Restacks the Knowledge Economy, to explore how AI isn't just speeding up workflows. It's re…

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Ask Us Anything 2025 40:53

1M ago40:53

40:53

It's been another big year in AI. The AI race has accelerated to breakneck speed, with frontier labs pouring hundreds of billions into increasingly powerful models—each one smarter, faster, and more unpredictable than the last. We’re starting to see disruptions in the workforce as human labor is replaced by agents. Millions of people, including vul…

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275: 5 Founder Lessons From the JP Morgan Tech Conference 25:08

1M ago25:08

25:08

What separates founders who make it from those who stall out? After spending two days surrounded by billion-dollar CEOs and investors at JP Morgan's Tech Investor Conference in London, Sophia Matveeva discovered that the conversations happening in those rooms reveal far more than market gossip. They hold the blueprint for building resilient, fundab…

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Tom Bibby 1:27:20

2M ago1:27:20

1:27:20

Why is new tech like AI embraced without a thought of how it might negatively impact the citizenry? Experts have exploded with warnings about the currently unchecked power of artificial intelligence. Trish welcomes Tom Bibby, from a UK citizen's group trying to do something about it. Pause AI has a Montreal chapter, too. Plus, Chris and Tamara toge…

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274: The Non-Technical Founder Mindset: How to Lead When You Can't Code 19:09

2M ago19:09

19:09

Many startups collapse not because the idea fails, but because the pressure gets unbearable. Sadly, it's not strategy or funding that takes them out. It's the grind, the chaos, and the sheer mental weight of building something new. In this episode, Sophia Matveeva shares three mindset shifts that every non-technical founder needs to survive the rol…

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209 - What is Fed-Posting and How to Spot it 10:19

2M ago10:19

10:19

In this episode, I share a free excerpt from my premium newsletter covering two important updates: Watchman Privacy's strategic pivot toward the premium newsletter model due to ongoing free podcast monetization challenges, and the exposure of "M_Solidus," a plagiarist who has been stealing Watchman Privacy content while providing dangerous privacy …

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Other Than Expected: Fabian Bircher on Combining Art, Architecture, and Code 38:19

2M ago38:19

38:19

In this episode, Liam speaks with Zürich-based architect and artist Fabian Bircher, whose work spans buildings, custom lighting, and interactive installations. Fabian discusses his unique creative process, where inspiration flows from both artistic concepts and the discovery of new technological possibilities. The conversation explores the material…

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Chad Bishop, with Guest Host Jeffrey Tucker 1:27:37

2M ago1:27:37

1:27:37

There are enduring mysteries surrounding the COVID experience, including the role that exposure and natural immunity had in protecting people BEFORE the shot arrived. To put it in scientific terms: what precisely was the seroprevalence level of the population and when? At what point did we leave pandemic conditions and enter into endemicity? Jeffre…

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208 - Conrad Rockenhaus: Tor Exit Node and Policing Abuse 48:10

2M ago48:10

48:10

Episode 208 of The Watchman Privacy Podcast – Conrad Rockenhaus: Tor Exit Node and Policing Abuse Gabriel Custodiet speaks with Adrienne Rockenhaus about the abuse and arrest of her husband, Conrad Rockenhaus, and the details surrounding this disturbing event of what seems to be clear policing and judicial overreach. GUEST → https://www.youtube.com…

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273: What AI Can (and Can't) Do for Non-Technical Founders 16:17

2M ago16:17

16:17

Founders love the idea of skipping engineers and letting AI code their dream app. Sadly, that dream falls apart fast. AI can write code, but it also hallucinates, breaks in production, and leaves you with messes you can't fix if you're not a coder. What looks like a shortcut turns into a costly detour. In this episode, Sophia Matveeva shows you whe…

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207 - Max Tannahill – Bitcoin: Untangling the Knots 1:12:13

2M ago1:12:13

1:12:13

Gabriel Custodiet speaks with Max Tannahill, alternative Bitcoin commentator. GUEST → https://x.com/maxtannahill → https://www.p2prights.org/donate.html MY PREMIUM NEWSLETTER (THE FUTURE OF WATCHMAN PRIVACY) → http://watchmanstorch.com → Join my exclusive privacy community MY PRIVACY TUTORIALS → https://escapethetechnocracy.com/ (including consulti…

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Mollie Engelhart, with Guest Host Jeffrey Tucker 1:43:35

2M ago1:43:35

1:43:35

Mollie Englehart is a new type of philosopher/farmer; a genuine expert whose knowledge comes from real experience. She understands the vast world of regenerative farming, and how it relates to human health. Her new book is not only a challenge to veganism, but also a direct hit on every type of conventional wisdom over food, family, and freedom – a…

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272: Why This Is the Best Time to Be a Non-Technical Founder 19:09

2M ago19:09

19:09

For years, non-technical founders were second class citizens in tech. Not anymore. In this episode, Sophia Matveeva shares five reasons why today is the best time in history to start a tech venture without being a coder — and why, in some cases, non-technical founders actually have the advantage. You'll learn: Why investors are backing non-technica…

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206 - Marco Wutzer: The Road from Serfdom 55:12

2M ago55:12

55:12

Gabriel Custodiet speaks with Marco Wutzer: former slave, current cryptocurrency fund manager, and world adventurer. GUEST → https://secondrenaissance.com (Crypto investment fund) → https://twitter.com/MarcoWutzer → See episode 49 for first interview MY PREMIUM NEWSLETTER (THE FUTURE OF WATCHMAN PRIVACY) → http://watchmanstorch.com → Join my exclus…

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Dr. Francis Christian and Katie Pasitney 2:03:06

2M ago2:03:06

2:03:06

A trauma surgeon and COVID-19 hero talks about Charlie Kirk's last minutes, how God can keep us sane, and fighting through darkness. Plus, Trump derangement leads to a Tylenol overdose. And Trish takes on the bureaucracy with new reporting. In closing, a few minutes for the ostriches with Katie Pasitney. Watch and Read Trish on Substack Follow Tris…

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205 - Beef Initiative: Unmasking the Food Industry 45:47

2M ago45:47

45:47

Gabriel Custodiet speaks with June of The Beef Initiative about the dystopian landscape of the American food system: especially beef. GUEST → https://x.com/beefinitiative → https://beefmaps.com/ → https://sofaf.org/ MY PREMIUM NEWSLETTER (THE FUTURE OF WATCHMAN PRIVACY) → http://watchmanstorch.com → Join my exclusive privacy community MY PRIVACY TU…

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271: What Big Tech Taught Me About Leading Without Code 25:25

2M ago25:25

25:25

Can you really lead a tech company if you're not technical yourself? David Windley has done exactly that. He's the former CHRO at Yahoo, held senior HR roles at Microsoft, Intuit, and Activision, scaled a startup from under $1M to $50M as CEO, and now leads HootRecruit — a recruiting tech company. David has spent his career at the intersection of p…

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How to Receive Sovereign Crypto for Your Organization 24:52

2M ago24:52

24:52

A guide for proper cryptocurrency acceptance for your business, foundation, or organization. Emphasis on privacy and sovereignty. Purchase the Product Here → https://escapethetechnocracy.com/desc-how-to-receive-bitcoin-for-your-organization/By Gabriel Custodiet

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David Cayley 1:26:43

3M ago1:26:43

1:26:43

Is the Charlie Kirk investigation one of the most inept in history? It sure is heading that way. Also, David Cayley on his blockbuster book about the end of the CBC, how it botched its Convoy coverage, and how to rebuild it. Watch and Read Trish on Substack Follow Trish on X @woodreporting Website: www.trishwoodpodcast.com…

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204 - Privacy Postmaster 2 59:47

3M ago59:47

59:47

Beneath a crimson sky, a specter approaches. The Privacy Postmaster rides... THE PRIVACY POSTMASTER → https://privacypost.io MY PREMIUM NEWSLETTER (THE FUTURE OF WATCHMAN PRIVACY) → http://watchmanstorch.com → Join my exclusive privacy community MY PRIVACY TUTORIALS → https://escapethetechnocracy.com/ (including consulting) → https://watchmanprivac…

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270: Real People, Real Startups: Lessons from Our Alumni 17:31

3M ago17:31

17:31

Most people think you need to be a Silicon Valley insider — or have millions in funding — to start a tech venture. That's just not true. In this episode, Sophia Matveeva shares the journeys of four Tech for Non-Techies alumni who built products and startups without writing a single line of code. You'll learn: How a dentist turned lockdown frustrati…