Episodes

  • Your Privacy: Why You Should Care and Tools to Protect It 8 | 7

    Your Privacy: Why You Should Care and Tools to Protect It 8 | 7
    Mar 25 2026
    We all love the convenience of our digital devices and connected services. But what about our ever expanding pile of digital breadcrumbs we leave behind as we go about our day? These breadcrumbs can be swept up by private companies to learn quite about us and target us with specific goods and services. They can also be collected by government agencies who might use this information for legitimate police work or in some instances, political repression. So, many people are asking themselves, should I be doing more to protect my personal privacy and how should I go about this. Tech evangelist and prolific author Guy Kawasaki had asked that same question about a year ago. It started him on a journey to learn more about how to use some of the latest communications tools built from the ground up with personal privacy as its primary goal. This led Guy to install and use Signal, one of the most popular tools today for personal privacy protection. But as he started to put Signal into his communications work flow, he realized it was not obvious how to use Signal to its full potential. So, Guy collaborated with Madisun Nuismer to publish a “how to” book for using Signal, “Everybody Has Something to Hide” in January of 2026. In this episode of the Radical Candor Podcast, Kim and Guy have a wide ranging conversation about Guy’s concerns about privacy that inspired him to start using Signal and then to write the book. They discuss the centrality of privacy in a free and democratic society and how tools like Signal can enhance privacy. Kim also shares her experiences with privacy and censorship in her years working in the Soviet Union (and later Russia) in the early 1990s. They also debate how much we should all trust so much of our personal data with these large tech companies. As Guy mentions the old saying, “If you aren’t paying for the product, you ARE the product!”. In the media rollercoaster, tech’s reputation is at a low point right now. It’s worth remembering that there are a lot of idealistic people in tech who are working hard to solve problems with the goal of making the world a better place. That is part of why we want to highlight Guy’s messages and what Meredith Whitaker, Brian Acton, Moxie Marlinspike, and the whole team at Signal are doing. Background on Guy Kawasaki: Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist of Canva and the creator of Guy Kawasaki’s Remarkable People podcast. He is an executive fellow of the Haas School of Business (UC Berkeley), and adjunct professor of the University of New South Wales. He was the chief evangelist of Apple and a trustee of the Wikimedia Foundation. He has written Wise Guy, The Art of the Start 2.0, The Art of Social Media, Enchantment, and eleven other books. Kawasaki has a BA from Stanford University, an MBA from UCLA, and an honorary doctorate from Babson College. Resources: Electronic Freedom Foundation (EFF) information on how to use Signal. Interviews with Meredith Whittaker is the President of The Signal Foundation. Guy’s interview with Meredith Whittaker on his Remarkable People Podcast. Also an informative interview with Meredith on Scott Galloway’s Podcast. CHAPTERS: (00:00) Exploring the New Book: Everybody Has Something to Hide (00:51) The Importance of Signal and Privacy (06:46) Personal Experiences with Privacy and Censorship (11:57) Trust in Tech Companies and Data Privacy (14:27) The Idealistic Problem Solvers in Tech (15:01) Philanthropy vs. Government Aid (15:38) Universal Basic Income as an Experiment (17:02) The Importance of Privacy in Democracy (19:09) The Role of Technology in Privacy (21:04) Evangelizing Signal for Privacy Protection Connect with the Radical Candor team: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • How Tech Employees Can Organize for Change with Lisa Conn and Anne Wootton 8 | 6

    How Tech Employees Can Organize for Change with Lisa Conn and Anne Wootton 8 | 6
    Mar 18 2026
    When tech is at its best, it is a group of people working together to solve hard problems in a way that makes the world a better place. That goal is what motivated so many folks in Silicon Valley to come here. How then did we cede the microphone to a small number of people who espouse an authoritarian, rich get richer algorithm? How can people working inside tech companies grab the bullhorn away from the authoritarians to describe the world we want to create? How we can take action to advocate for our vision of a better future? One recent manifestation of this is the ⁠ICEout.tech⁠ movement. In this episode, Kim speaks with Lisa Conn, founder of Gatheround and former Meta employee, and Anne Wootton, co-founder of Pop Up Archive and current senior engineering manager at Apple, about why they signed the pledge and what they hope it can accomplish. Kim, Lisa and Anne also discuss more generally ideas for people who are frustrated with the state of affairs at their companies or in tech more broadly, but are not sure where to start and how to find a community of similarly civic-minded people to take action. They discuss ways to host meetups for your like-minded co-workers while still working hard at your day job and staying within your company’s policies. They also talk about how important it is to speak respectfully with people who disagree with you. A good goal is to deepen your own thinking, not to change a person's mind. You probably won’t change their mind, and you probably won’t change yours. That doesn’t mean you’re wasting your breath. When you invite discussion about your beliefs with people who disagree, two good things can happen. One, you get to know them a bit better. Two, you challenge yourself to think more deeply. JS Mill said that belief without discussion can give way to prejudice. Background on ICEout.tech: ⁠⁠ICEout.tech⁠⁠, started by and for people in tech, wants the tech industry to use its influential position in our economy to stop ICE. The pledge, which was started after Renee Good was murdered in Minneapolis, has more than 2,000 verified signatures from people across major companies including NVIDIA, Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and dozens more. The call to speak up against ICE in tech gained momentum after Border Patrol agents killed Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, and has drawn public support from leaders like Dario and Daniela Amodei (Anthropic), Reid Hoffman, and Vinod Khosla. Tech professionals want their CEOs to join them in this effort, to protect our neighbors and communities and stop ICE's terror. Resources: ⁠⁠ICEout.tech⁠⁠ information and how to get involved. Resist and Unsubscribe Resist and Unsubscribe - movement by Prof. Scott Galloway to encourage individuals to use their economic power by unsubscribing from big tech web services as a way to press these leaders to push for government reforms. CHAPTERS: (00:00) Introduction to iceOut.tech Movement (02:00) Understanding the Pledge and Its Impact (04:59) Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Tech (10:02) The Role of Affluence and Courage (15:20) Building Solidarity and Taking Action (20:04) Employee Power and Organizing for Change (22:53) The Role of Technology in Society (26:10) Tactics for Influencing Corporate Decisions (29:51) Building Internal Solidarity and Communication (34:04) Navigating Polarization and Finding Common Ground (39:03) Self-Care and Community Engagement Connect with the Radical Candor team: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Rethinking Authenticity and What to Do Instead with Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic 8|5

    Rethinking Authenticity and What to Do Instead with Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic 8|5
    Mar 11 2026
    “Be yourself.” “Bring your whole self to work.” “Don’t worry what people think.” These phrases sound empowering—but in real workplaces, they can create confusion, conflict, and even harm. In this episode of The Radical Candor Podcast, Kim Scott and Amy Sandler sit down with organizational psychologist Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic—Chief Science Officer at Russell Reynolds Associates, professor of business psychology at University College London and Columbia University, and author of Don’t Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated and What to Do Instead. They start with a moment of actual Radical Candor: Kim reached out after Tomas and Amy Edmondson accidentally conflated Radical Candor with “brutal honesty.” Instead of stewing, she did the hard (and human) thing—she talked to him. That conversation sets the tone for a bigger question: What does it really mean to be “authentic” at work? Tomas breaks down four “authenticity traps” that sound like wisdom but often backfire: Always be honest with yourself and others Don’t worry what people think of you Always stay true to your values, no matter what Bring your whole self to work Together, they explore what replaces these traps: self-complexity, emotional intelligence, feedback you can absorb without defensiveness, and the discipline to regulate your impulses so you can build trust and safety—without turning the workplace into either chaos or conformity. If you’ve ever felt stuck between being “real” and being effective, this episode offers a more useful frame: your right to be you should never override your obligation to others. ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Bluesky Resources: Fast Company: To create psychological safety, don't bring your whole self to work TEDx Talk: Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? Next Big Idea Club: The Surprising Science of Why Being Authentic Can Hold You Back HBR Podcast: Why Are We Still Promoting Incompetent Men? Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? (And How To Fix It) [book] Don't Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated and What to Do Instead [book] I, Human: AI, Automation, and the Quest to Reclaim What Makes Us Unique [book] Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic [website] Mentioned on the podcast: Infantilised: How Our Culture Killed Adulthood [book] Seinfeld episode: Life Hack “Do the opposite” [YouTube short] The Best Leaders are Great Followers HBR article by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic and Amy C. Edmondson Chapters: (00:00) IntroductionKim and Amy welcome Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic and reflect on how this conversation began with Radical Candor. (03:10) Radical Candor vs. “Brutal Honesty”How a misinterpretation sparked a real conversation about kindness, nuance, and impact. (07:20) Why “Don’t Be Yourself”The meaning behind the provocative title and why authenticity advice often backfires at work. (14:10) The Four Authenticity TrapsAlways be honest, don’t care what people think, never compromise your values, and bring your whole self to work. (19:30) Confidence, Competence, and FeedbackWhy developing skill comes first—and how confidence is often about timing and delivery. (27:30) Staying True to Values Without Becoming DogmaticWhy uncompromising values can divide teams and what leadership actually requires. (30:10) Authenticity as PrivilegeWhy complete self-expression is often a luxury of the powerful, not a universal standard. (36:15) Psychological Safety Isn’t ComfortWhy safety should enable productive discomfort, not chaos or bullying. (41:55) Emotional Intelligence vs. Unfiltered AuthenticityWhy adapting to others is a strength, not a lack of integrity. (49:10) Regulating Impulses as a LeaderHow filtering behavior builds trust without sacrificing humanity. (01:03:50) Conclusion Connect:Resources for show notes: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Why We Don’t Do What We Know We Should: Beliefs, Habits, and AI Practice with Nir Eyal 8|4

    Why We Don’t Do What We Know We Should: Beliefs, Habits, and AI Practice with Nir Eyal 8|4
    Mar 4 2026
    What if the reason you don’t give feedback, follow through, or change your habits… isn’t willpower? What if it’s a belief? In this episode of The Radical Candor Podcast, Kim Scott talks with Nir Eyal — author of Hooked, Indistractable, and his new book Beyond Belief — about the hidden force behind motivation: the stories we tell ourselves. They explore: Why AI can’t replace human relationships — but can help us practice hard conversations The limiting belief that keeps people silent at work Why knowing what to do isn’t enough How pain (not pleasure) drives behavior The difference between addiction and habit Why “time management is pain management.” How to reinterpret anxiety as readiness And why beliefs are tools — not truths If you’ve ever struggled to speak up, follow through, or break a bad habit — this conversation will help you see what’s really getting in the way.Chapters (00:00) Introduction Kim welcomes Nir Eyal and introduces AI portraits and scaling human insight. (04:30) Can AI Replace Relationships? Why AI can’t replace human connection — but may be the safest place to practice hard conversations. (10:15) Refining AI Voice & Identity What it means to “scale yourself” without losing your humanity. (16:40) The Limiting Belief That Keeps You Silent “If you don’t have anything nice to say…” — and why that belief causes harm. (23:10) Beliefs Are Tools, Not Truths Nir explains the core thesis of Beyond Belief. (29:30) Placebos, Pain, and Perception What belief can change — and what it can’t. (36:20) Stage Fright vs. Readiness Reinterpreting anxiety as oxygen for performance. (43:10) Time Management Is Pain Management Why distraction is about escaping discomfort. (50:40) Addiction vs. Habit Why addiction is about escaping pain — not seeking pleasure. (57:00) Why We Don’t Do What We Know The missing link between knowledge and action. (01:04:00) Radical Candor and the “Nice” Trap The story of Bob — and why staying silent isn’t kind. (01:10:00) If It’s Yellow, Let It Mellow Marriage, feedback, and choosing what truly matters. (01:13:00) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • AI Gods, Space Empires, and the Stories Tech Uses to Justify Power with Adam Becker 8|3

    AI Gods, Space Empires, and the Stories Tech Uses to Justify Power with Adam Becker 8|3
    Feb 18 2026
    What if the loudest stories about the future—AI gods, Mars colonies, digital immortality—aren’t science at all, but science fiction masquerading as inevitability? In this episode of The Radical Candor Podcast, Kim Scott and Amy Sandler are joined by science journalist and astrophysicist Adam Becker (PhD in computational cosmology), author of More Everything Forever. Adam breaks down the “big three” myths that dominate Silicon Valley’s imagination: space colonization, superintelligent god-like AI, and the singularity. He explains why both the utopian and apocalyptic versions of AI stories often share the same assumption—unimaginable AI power—and why that assumption doesn’t match reality. They also explore the deeper pattern underneath these myths: the belief that every problem can be solved with technology (usually computer technology), even when the barriers are political and social—collective action, persuasion, solidarity, and power. Along the way, Adam shares how he stayed sane while writing about “seriously disturbing ideas,” and why reconnecting with the natural world (and real human relationships) is a necessary antidote to screen-mediated life. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the “AI will save us” vs. “AI will doom us” debate, this conversation offers a clearer, more grounded frame—and a reminder that being human matters. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠ Resources for show notes: ⁠Adam Becker’s website⁠ ⁠More, Everything, Forever book page⁠ ⁠Adam Becker on Star Talk podcast⁠ ⁠Dave Troy presents: Understanding TESCREAL with Dr. Timnit Gebru and Émile Torres⁠ ⁠Why Silicon Valley’s Most Powerful People Are So Obsessed With Hobbits⁠ Referenced in conversation: Blade Runner (as an example of dystopian sci-fi being misunderstood) Star Wars / Jabba the Hutt (as an example of misreading stories) Lord of the Rings / Palantír (as a cautionary reference) Jurassic Park (“they didn’t stop to consider whether they should”) Public libraries (as a civic good worth supporting) Chapters: (00:00) Introduction Kim and Amy welcome Adam Becker to unpack Silicon Valley’s stories about the future. (06:06) The Myths Driving Tech Ideology Space colonization, superintelligent AI, and the singularity—and why they don’t hold up. (11:52) When Sci-Fi Turns into Strategy How dystopian stories get misread as roadmaps (Palantir, “Torment Nexus,” and more). (15:06) More Everything Forever Why endless expansion feels inevitable in tech—and why Adam argues it’s flawed. (21:24) “Can” vs. “Should” Why tech leaders dodge both questions—and what that reveals about power. (23:19) You Can’t Escape Politics by Going to Space Why “Mars as a reset button” is a fantasy—and politics follows humans everywhere. (33:22) AI Doom vs. AI Utopia Why both narratives rely on the same shaky assumption about “AGI.” (37:21) Solidarity as a Counterbalance Why labor organizing matters when leadership values diverge from workers’ values. (41:02) “AGI Will Fix Climate” Why betting on future AI while burning more energy now is a dangerous logic trap. (01:03:50) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • The 7 Hidden Beliefs That Hold Leaders Back with Muriel Wilkins 8|2

    The 7 Hidden Beliefs That Hold Leaders Back with Muriel Wilkins 8|2
    Feb 11 2026
    Why do so many leaders work hard to change — only to end up in the same place months later? What if the problem isn’t effort, but the beliefs running in the background? In this episode of The Radical Candor Podcast, Kim Scott and Amy Sandler are joined by Muriel Wilkins — executive coach, C-suite advisor, host of Coaching Real Leaders, and author of Leadership Unblocked. Together, they unpack why high performers default to action, how action bias can backfire when internal beliefs stay the same, and what it takes to create sustainable leadership growth. Muriel introduces seven common “hidden blockers,” including I need it done now, I can’t say no, and I don’t belong here, and explains how these beliefs drive behavior that feels productive in the short term but creates dissonance over time. The conversation also explores how leaders can build the muscle of noticing what’s happening internally, ask better coaching questions without attachment, and reduce unnecessary suffering by changing how they respond to challenges. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I keep ending up here again?” this episode offers a grounded, practical way forward. Connect: ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠ Resources for show notes: Leadership Unblocked: Break Through the Beliefs That Limit Your Potential book The Hidden Beliefs That Hold Leaders Back Harvard Business Review article Coaching Real Leaders podcast Own the Room: Discover Your Signature Voice to Master Your Leadership Presence book Muriel Wilkins website Muriel Wilkins on Radical Candor podcast Chapters: (00:00) Introduction + Muriel Returns (01:20) Why Muriel Wrote Leadership Unblocked (01:50) Action Bias: Why Change Doesn’t Stick (03:00) Actions vs. Your Internal Operating System (04:04) The Fix-It Reflex in Work and Life (06:01) Discomfort, Control, and the Urge to Solve (09:25) Hidden Blockers: What They Are and Why They’re Hidden (10:57) The 7 Hidden Blockers (Overview) (11:48) “I Need It Done Now” and Reframing Time (17:03) Building the Noticing Muscle (39:58) Coaching Yourself Before Coaching Others (53:33) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • It’s Not Too Late: Getting Unstuck Mid-Career with Adrion Porter 8|1

    It’s Not Too Late: Getting Unstuck Mid-Career with Adrion Porter 8|1
    Jan 21 2026
    What do you do when the career path that once felt clear no longer is? What if that stuck, uneasy feeling in the middle of your career isn’t a failure, it’s information and an opportunity to rewrite your career story. On this episode of The Radical Candor Podcast, Adrion Porter founder of Mid-Career Mastery, host of the podcast Gen X Amplified, and a LinkedIn top voice joins Kim and Jason to talk honestly about the “Messy Middle” and what to do when your old definitions of success no longer fit. Together, they explore Adrion’s Mastery Map, a practical framework for getting unstuck by letting go of limiting beliefs, finding meaning, and making intentional choices even when the next step isn’t obvious. They also dig into navigating generational differences, the reality of different lived experiences and the divisive stories we tell ourselves and how to strengthen relationships across generations. If you’re feeling stuck, uncertain about what’s next, or frustrated that doing your best work feels harder than it used to, this conversation offers grounded ways to move forward. Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Episode Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Transcript⁠⁠ About Adrion Porter⁠⁠ Follow Adrion on LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠Learn More About Mid-Career Mastery⁠ ⁠Listen to Adrion's Podcast, Gen X Amplified⁠⁠ Explore Adrion's Framework, The Mastery Map⁠⁠ Connect: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (02:04) Adrion’s Origin StoryA layoff at 40 forces Adrion to rethink what’s next. (06:51) Owning Your StoryKim & Adrion explore the narratives that had Kim stuck and how she rewrote those. (09:02) Mindset & Limiting BeliefsWhy reframing how you think is the first step forward. (11:48) The Mastery Map FrameworkThe pillars of the framework: mindset, meaning, and milestones. (16:23) When You Feel TrappedNavigating change when money, family, or expectations limit options. (17:48) The Framework in ActionAdrion tells the story of a specific application of the framework. (20:39) Breakthrough Moments from the WorkWhat Adrion sees when people finally rewrite their story. (23:04) From Messy Middle to Magical MiddleWhy mid-career can be a season of reinvention. (26:42) Generations & Work StoriesHow different generations think about success and work. (32:37) Wisdom, Age & Radical CandorWhat experience adds to communication and feedback. (37:25) One Action to Take This WeekA practical step to start changing your story now.(38:21) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • From Optimism to Reckoning: Reflections on Silicon Valley with Steven Levy 7|43

    From Optimism to Reckoning: Reflections on Silicon Valley with Steven Levy 7|43
    Dec 10 2025
    The early internet was built on big hopes—access, openness, connection, and the belief that technology could make the world fairer. In this episode of The Radical Candor Podcast, Kim & Jason are in conversation with Steven Levy. His recent article, “I thought I knew Silicon Valley. I was wrong.”, becomes the lens through which they revisit tech’s early promise and its reality today. They take an honest look at the optimism that shaped Silicon Valley’s early culture and how those ideals unraveled. Kim & Steven candidly share their unique perspective of how it feels to recognize the gap between what they believed and what actually happened as two people who had a front row seat. If you’re looking for a thoughtful, grounded, and honest conversation about how tech’s story was written—and rewritten—in real time, and what today’s leaders can learn from examining both intention and impact, this episode offers clarity and perspective you can apply right now. Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Episode Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"I Thought I Knew Silicon Valley, I was Wrong" ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠About Steven Levy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Steven Levy's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Steven Levy's Books⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Virtual Love" by Kim Scott ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Enshittification" by Cory Doctorow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"The Age of Extraction" by Tim Wu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00) Introduction Kim, Jason, and Steven set the stage for a reflective look at Silicon Valley’s promise and reality. (01:39) “I Thought I Knew Silicon Valley. I Was Wrong.” Steven shares what led him to write the article and how his perspective shifted. (03:38) From Idealism to Influence: When Tech’s Culture Shifted Exploring the moment Silicon Valley’s playful, rebellious spirit hardened into something more powerful—and less accountable. (06:30) Recalling the Internet We Hoped For Revisiting the early optimism that shaped the web and the disillusionment that followed. (12:27) The Claims of AI Examining the bold promises tech leaders make about AI—and why skepticism matters. (15:01) The Long Tail Early optimism about the internet’s potential to democratize opportunity. (16:56) Enshittification & The Age of Extraction Cory Doctorow’s framework, antitrust debates, and how market consolidation reshaped the online ecosystem. (20:05) Do a CEO’s Values Matter? A look at how leaders like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos have evolved—and what that means for their companies. (24:37) What to Do When You Don’t Align With Your Company Reflecting on how to stay true to your values when the culture around you shifts. (29:36) Looking Back with Clearer Eyes Kim reckons with past choices, blind spots, and what accountability looks like now. (32:29) What Corrupted Silicon Valley When too much money and power are concentrated in too few hands. (33:56) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins