A little while back, Paul and Rich did an episode on the promises of Web3 but theres still more to be said. This week, they chat with internet pioneer Michael Sippey to get more clarity on what Web3 entails. Michael explains the three main components that make up Web3 (think DeFi, NFTs, and DAOs) and shares why hes so excited about its possibilities. Links: Michael Sippey Tim OReilly - What is Web 2.0 Nexus Mutual Nouns Project Friends With Benefits...
Jan 25, 2022•43 min•Ep 316•Transcript available on Metacast This week Paul and Rich send us a message from the future in the year 2058. A lot has happened since 2022 (like Paul Ford becoming the President of the United States of America). Paul and Rich report on the state of the world, from vaccines to climate to the state of software, and share what we could have done differently.
Jan 18, 2022•20 min•Ep 315•Transcript available on Metacast We look at our phones now more than ever, which means we spend a lot of time looking at app icons some even become seared into our minds. So, what makes an app icon worthy? This week, Chappell Ellison and Nathan Burge chat with Jim Nielsen and Michael Flarup, who wrote an entire book dedicated to showcasing the power of app icon design. Jim and Michael share the history of app icons, their impact on your brand, and why they wanted to write a book on the topic. Links: Jim Nielsen Twitter Michael ...
Jan 11, 2022•43 min•Ep 314•Transcript available on Metacast The world of software and technology has never been so employed. From product designers to product managers to engineers, the need for finding new talent abounds. But what about retaining existing talent? Postlights dear friend and returning guest, Tim Meaney, joins Rich and Paul to offer his tips for making your best talent want to stay. Links: Tim Meaney Twitter
Jan 04, 2022•34 min•Ep 313•Transcript available on Metacast Six months ago, Gina Trapani and Chris LoSacco took over as CEO and President of Postlight, respectively. This week, they join Paul and Rich to discuss their new roles, the leadership transition, and why Gina thought it might never happen. Chris and Gina also share their vision for Postlights future and what theyll tackle first. Heres to a new year and new opportunities!
Dec 21, 2021•37 min•Ep 312•Transcript available on Metacast Will Web3 help decentralize the web and give us more privacy, or will it fall into the same old traps? This week, Gina Trapani joins Paul and Rich to dissect Web3 and its many utopian promises. Are they right to be critical of it, or is their point of view out-of-touch? Probably but theres still a lot to discuss.
Dec 14, 2021•29 min•Ep 311•Transcript available on Metacast What is Web3, and why should we care about it? Will it be the digital revolution that brings the internet back to its decentralized and democratic roots? This week, internet expert (and Postlight CEO) Gina Trapani joins Rich and Paul to chat about their experiences with different iterations of the web and break down how it ended up so siloed, control-driven, and centralized. Will Web3 save us? Stay tuned.
Dec 07, 2021•26 min•Ep 310•Transcript available on Metacast Paul and Rich are proud New Yorkers through and through, but sometimes they can't help but feel jealous that California kicked NYC to the curb when it comes to tech and Silicon Valley. This week, they unpack how that happened and try to figure out what it is about California that sparks innovation. They also speculate what the next technological revolution will look like and discuss whether or not we're on the cusp of a crypto explosion.
Nov 30, 2021•37 min•Ep 309•Transcript available on Metacast Its no secret that the past two years have shaped the ways we work with others. We have a growing constellation of tools at our disposal that all orbit around our sun: Slack. But why does it still feel like none of those tools talk to one another? This week, Rich and Paul chat about that disconnect and how it affects the way we work. They also envision a more streamlined future for tools and a better way to communicate.
Nov 23, 2021•38 min•Ep 308•Transcript available on Metacast Its been a few weeks since Zuckerbergs video broke the internet, but does anyone actually know what the metaverse is? This week Paul and Rich chat with journalist Choire Sicha to figure it out. Will it be a radical new way to live in the future, or did Facebook only need a new story to tell? Together, they predict what digital platforms will look like in 20 years and what such changes will mean for all of us. Links: Choire Sicha Twitter Zuckerberg Pivots to Creators and Renames Facebook Meta - C...
Nov 16, 2021•39 min•Ep 307•Transcript available on Metacast Tom Watson and Stefan Borsje are avid photographers and creators of the new photography app, Glass. This week they join Paul Ford and Michael Shane, Postlights Head of Digital Strategy, to talk about developing the app for their fellow photographers. They also share why they chose community funding over venture capital, highlight the importance of transparency with your users, and discuss defining product success when growth isnt the primary focus. Links: Glass Are.na Ravelry Metafilter Nolt...
Nov 09, 2021•38 min•Ep 306•Transcript available on Metacast Clay Shirky is a man of many talents author, educator, and now Vice Provost of Educational Technologies at the New York University. This week, Clay joins Paul and Rich to discuss his role in procuring tech for a large educational institution and shares how the pandemic made us more aware than ever of ed tech's shortcomings. He also breaks down the dangers of optimizing for stability instead of flexibility. Could low-code solutions be the answer for universities? Clay thinks so, but its not alway...
Nov 02, 2021•38 min•Ep 305•Transcript available on Metacast What's a Product Discovery Coach? This week Teresa Torres joins Paul and Rich to break down the mystique of her job title and the important work behind it. They discuss all things product development, and Teresa shares how unearthing product assumptions can help you achieve a better final outcome. Teresa also explains why you should expect your ideas to fail and use that failure to your advantage.
Oct 26, 2021•33 min•Ep 304•Transcript available on Metacast As an actor and communications coach, Bill Smartt knows how to speak to the room both in person and online. Bill has been working with Postlight for years, and this week, he joins Paul and Rich with tips on how to communicate effectively and give that presentation youre nervous about. He breaks down how to structure your deck, shares how to make eye contact on a video call, and discusses the importance of rehearsing.
Oct 19, 2021•32 min•Ep 303•Transcript available on Metacast Paul Ford may have coined the term content strategist but hes certainly not the only expert in it. This week Paul and Rich are joined by Postlights Associate Director of Digital Strategy, Chappell Ellison, to discuss the three pillars of content strategy. She also discusses the difference between editorial and technical content strategists, shares her journey in finding the role, and explains why content strategy work will only continue to grow. Links: Chappell Ellison Chappell Ellison Twitter P...
Oct 12, 2021•39 min•Ep 301•Transcript available on Metacast On October 4th, 2021, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp were all down for most of the afternoon. Meanwhile, Paul and Rich recorded this weeks episode to discuss the outage and the ongoing allegations against Facebook. They also draw parallels between regulating Facebook and regulating the tobacco industry and share their hypotheses on how Facebook got to the point of overlooking the safety of its users. Links: Facebook Knows Instagram Is Toxic For Teen Girls...
Oct 06, 2021•35 min•Ep 302•Transcript available on Metacast Its the 300th episode of the Postlight Podcast! To celebrate, Paul and Rich talk with Steph Colbourn, founder and CEO of editaudio and producer of the podcast since early days. Steph gives the inside scoop on how the podcast gets made, what makes a great one, and the latest developments in the podcast production industry. She also shares Rich and Pauls best (worst?) bloopers from the cutting room floor. Links: editaudio Steph Colbourn - Twitter Ali Sirois - LinkedIn Izotope NowThis Kids Podcast ...
Sep 28, 2021•39 min•Ep 300•Transcript available on Metacast So, youve agreed on what youll deliver and signed the contract, but then a stakeholder asks for one more thing. And one more thing. Change is bound to happen when youre shipping software how do you keep your project on track? In part three of the Catalyst Live! event series, Paul and Rich share tips on managing change from the get-go and explain when its okay to say no. As always, they top it all off by answering listener questions. Links: Catalyst Whitepaper You Cant Fix a Relationship With a C...
Sep 21, 2021•44 min•Ep 299•Transcript available on Metacast Both Rich and Vicky didnt start off in software, so how did they end up there? This week Rich is joined by Postlights Head of Product Management, Vicky Volvovski, to talk about their professional paths. They discuss what drives them and share tips on how to get that next role you have your eye on. Hint: Dont be afraid to show your work in progress. Links: Vicky Volvovski A Remote Success Story - Postlight Podcast Postlight Careers...
Sep 14, 2021•30 min•Ep 298•Transcript available on Metacast Acronyms can feel cheesy, but they sure are effective in the world of software and beyond. This week Paul and Rich discuss the value of naming your initiatives and urge you to embrace the inevitable acronym that will follow. They chat about how strong naming can help teams internalize processes and rally around projects. They also discuss how the power of naming has been a powerful communication tool of the pandemic. Links: QORE Tuskegee Study - CDC...
Sep 07, 2021•30 min•Ep 297•Transcript available on Metacast If you've been a customer of Amazon Web Services, you know the billing nightmares of services that weren't built to talk to each other. After learning firsthand, Corey Quinn founded The Duckbill Group to help companies tackle their confusing and wildly expensive AWS bills. This week, he joins Paul and Rich to share advice on cutting down your AWS bill and tips on what cloud services you should be using. Links: The Duckbill Group Last Week in AWS Corey Quinn - Twitter...
Aug 31, 2021•41 min•Ep 296•Transcript available on Metacast As you know by now, Rich and Paul were itching to get back to the office. They craved those IRL moments that spark conversation, build relationships, and foster innovation. This week, Senior Director and Head of Product Management, Vicky Volvovski, argues that all of that can be done remotely (and done well!). After working from home for a decade, Vicky shares her favorite tools to set up a deliberate remote working environment, build team relationships, and conceive great products. Links Todois...
Aug 24, 2021•36 min•Ep 295•Transcript available on Metacast The MTA is one of the largest transit systems in the world, and recently, Postlight helped take it digital. This week Joshua Gee, Director of Digital Customer Experience at the MTA, joins Paul and Rich to get into the nitty-gritty of updating massive government systems. From legacy platforms to procurement to getting different parts of government to talk to each other, they chat about implementing new tech platforms at the government level and why it is often so difficult. Links: Joshua Gee Post...
Aug 17, 2021•38 min•Ep 294•Transcript available on Metacast This week Chris and Gina sit down with Nathan Henry and Vicky Volvovski of Postlights PM leadership to talk all things product management at a client services firm. Nathan and Vicky share ideas on building lasting client relationships and break down how to structure client workshops to get at the root of the problems youre trying to solve. Then, they discuss what questions you should be asking to gain trust and encourage your clients to open up. Links: Postlight MTA Postlight Careers...
Aug 10, 2021•38 min•Ep 293•Transcript available on Metacast Since the 1950s, Fender has been one of the leading names in music. Six years ago, Ethan Kaplan pitched Fender to build out a digital take on a traditionally analog experience guitar lessons. This week, Paul and Rich sit down with Ethan to discuss how he pitched the idea to the team and why Fender needed a digital strategy. He also shares valuable project management advice and REM album recommendations. Links: Ethan Kaplan Twitter Fender Play Fender Tune...
Aug 03, 2021•28 min•Ep 292•Transcript available on Metacast Deadlines might be the best productivity tool invented to date. But what are other ways to motivate your team? This week Paul and Rich grapple with how to operationalize work processes without exerting too much power. They also give cheeky tips for employees to navigate deadlines with their bosses. Links: Paul Ford - Wired
Jul 27, 2021•27 min•Ep 291•Transcript available on Metacast Exciting things are happening at Postlight! This week Paul and Rich introduce the new President and the new CEO of Postlight. Paul and Rich explain why they are stepping back into their roles as Co-Founders and share what theyll be doing next. Also, Gina Trapani and Chris LoSacco talk about their new roles and what they envision for the future of the firm. Dont worry the Postlight Podcast isnt going anywhere. Links: Gina Trapani Chris LoSacco Digital Transformation for the MTA Careers at Postlig...
Jul 20, 2021•32 min•Ep 290•Transcript available on Metacast Billionaires live in a different reality but thats no reason why you cant connect, communicate, and collaborate. This week Paul and Rich share tips for successfully communicating with the wealthiest leaders. They explain the importance of keeping it simple and why billionaires often respond with gusto when you tell them what they shouldnt do.
Jul 13, 2021•32 min•Ep 289•Transcript available on Metacast Agendas are important, but can you stick to them too much? This week Paul and Rich break down how to transform your meeting from a rigid list of bullet points to a more creative and collaborative environment. They discuss how remote work has changed meeting dynamics and share what they've missed about the spontaneous, quick-fire meetings brought on by working in person.
Jul 06, 2021•31 min•Ep 288•Transcript available on Metacast When Lauren Lockwood and Emily Wright-Moore worked for the government, a digital services agency to serve their industry didnt exist so, they created one! This week Paul and Gina sit down with Lauren and Emily of Bloom Works to discuss the unique challenges of providing digital services within the government. Then, they share how Bloom Works aims to help people working on software in government navigate through the dense bureaucratic fog. Links: Bloom Works Bloom Works Twitter Lauren Lockwood Tw...
Jun 29, 2021•33 min•Ep 287•Transcript available on Metacast 
