Most early stage founders think their job is to grow. That belief quietly kills more startups than bad ideas ever will.

In this episode, Thomas Bustos challenges the default startup narrative and argues that early stage founders should delay optimization, ignore premature scale, and focus obsessively on their first five customers. Not leads. Not users. Paying, real ICP customers.

He dismantles the obsession with metrics that don’t matter yet and explains why clarity, learning velocity, and decision quality outperform hustle and headcount in the early days. The discussion explores why premature scaling leads to fragile systems, how visibility enables better decisions, and why early-stage teams must prioritize shared context over efficiency.

Thomas also explains how tracking inputs and outputs creates feedback loops that prevent founders from optimizing the wrong things.

This episode serves as a systems-level analysis of what actually matters for early stage founders before scale, funding, or hiring accelerates complexity.

Top Takeaways:

• Early stage founders should optimize for learning over growth.

• Focus on inputs before outputs to ensure effective decision-making.

• Create a shared map of reality to align the team.

• User feedback is crucial for refining the mission and ideal customer profile.

• Metrics should reflect reality, not be treated as goals.

• High signal users provide valuable insights for progress.

• Building foundations is essential before scaling a startup.

• Learning velocity and decision quality are key to success.

• The early stage is characterized by messiness and uncertainty.

• Navigating through a dynamic map is vital for achieving product-market fit.

Connect with Thomas Bustos

• Thomas Bustos on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasbustos/

• Let’s Talk AI - https://thomasbustos.substack.com/

• Let’s Talk AI on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lets-talk-ai

• Let’s Talk AI on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6mVjFvdEkZDCTXpIuuSLAP

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of Let’s Talk AI, Max Berthelot takes us into the heart of his founder journey. It is one that spans B2B SaaS, Y Combinator’s high-pressure halls, and now the health-tech frontier with Lucis.

What starts as a leap from a stable career becomes a story about obsession, discipline, and the uncomfortable truths behind real startup growth. Max shares the moment he realized community was the key to expansion. He talks about the nights spent rethinking distribution, the emotional rollercoaster of working with both technical and non-technical co-founders, and the mindset that transformed Lucis from an idea into a fast-emerging longevity platform.

This is a story of a founder recounting the lessons that scarred him, shaped him, and ultimately strengthened his ability to scale a startup in one of the toughest markets.

If you want startup growth lessons that go beyond clichés, this is the episode to hear.

Top Takeaways:

• Max is the founder of Lucis, focusing on health and longevity.

• Building a community around health can drive engagement and growth.

• Distribution should be prioritized from day one in product development.

• It's important to start with an idea and iterate rather than waiting for perfection.

• Y Combinator provided invaluable lessons and a life-changing experience for Max and his co-founders.

• Relentlessness is key to building a successful startup.

• Continuous learning is essential for founders as they navigate different stages of growth.

• The mission of Lucis is to make preventative health accessible in Europe.

• Max's personal experience with health data drives the mission of Lucis

Connect with Max Berthelot

• Max Berthelot on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximeberthelot/

• Instagram: @lucislife_en

Connect with Thomas Bustos

• Thomas Bustos on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasbustos/

• Let’s Talk AI - https://thomasbustos.substack.com/

• Let’s Talk AI on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lets-talk-ai

• Let’s Talk AI on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6mVjFvdEkZDCTXpIuuSLAP

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The IDE has always been the developer’s command center. But as AI systems mature, the IDE is becoming something far more sophisticated — a hybrid of automation, intelligence, and adaptability.

In this episode, Thomas Bustos and Richard Wang (Clad Labs) dissect the architectural and strategic implications of building AI-powered IDEs. They discuss how real-time feedback loops, adaptive code assistance, and contextual learning models are reshaping both the developer experience and the business of software.

This is a must-listen for engineers, founders, and product builders who want to understand the competitive edge behind AI-driven development tools, and why IDE innovation is the next major battleground for developer productivity.

Top Insights:

• AI is revolutionizing the coding process for developers.

• Integrating ads into IDEs can subsidize development costs.

• User feedback is crucial for product iteration and improvement.

• The future of coding involves AI-native tools that enhance productivity.

• Democratizing access to AI tools is essential for global developers.

• Speed of development should focus on user-centric design.

• Understanding user workflows is key to building effective tools.

• The competitive landscape of IDEs is evolving with new approaches.

• Maintaining a balance between speed and quality is vital in development.

• The mission is to unlock coding opportunities for everyone.

Connect with Richard Wang

• Richard Wang on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-wang-39554994/

• Clad Labs AI - https://www.cladlabs.ai/

Connect with Thomas Bustos

• Thomas Bustos on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasbustos/

• Let’s Talk AI - https://thomasbustos.substack.com/

• Let’s Talk AI on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lets-talk-ai

• Let’s Talk AI on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6mVjFvdEkZDCTXpIuuSLAP

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

We often hear stories about engineers leaving Big Tech to chase their startup dreams, but few break down what really happens after the leap.

In this episode, Anmol Sood, former Meta engineer and now founder of Alai, opens up about his journey from writing production-grade code to creating a startup that helps people build high-quality presentations in minutes.

He shares how speed and quality constantly compete for attention in early-stage product development, why co-founder dynamics can make or break momentum, and the ultimate secret to building products that users love.

For anyone navigating the startup ecosystem, Anmol’s story offers a grounded view of what it means to build, iterate, and keep your vision alive amid uncertainty.

🎧 Listen to the full episode and discover how startup success is built one decision at a time.

Top Insights:

• Anmol emphasizes the importance of working on problems that matter to you.

• Building skills is not just about technical ability but also about caring for the problem.

• Transitioning from a large company to a startup requires unlearning certain practices.

• Identifying a clear target audience is crucial for product success.

• Finding early partners can provide valuable feedback and insights.

• Intuition plays a key role in product development, especially pre-product market fit.

• Understanding customer incentives is essential for effective partnerships.

• Design quality is a significant differentiator in presentation tools.

• Balancing speed and quality is vital in the development process.

• Strong co-founder relationships are foundational to startup success.

Connect with Anmol Sood

• Anmol Sood on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anmolsood/

• Anmol Sood on X - https://x.com/anmolsood21

• Alai - https://getalai.com/

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

When artificial intelligence meets robotics, something remarkable happens: machines stop just following instructions and start understanding purpose.

In this episode of Let’s Talk AI, Thomas Bustos sits down with Remi Fabre, a robotics engineer whose work bridges the gap between software intelligence and physical motion. Together, they unpack what it takes to design robots that don’t just move, but adapt, learn, and connect with the world around them.

From the elegance of inverse kinematics to the power of open-source collaboration, Rémi shares how robotics has evolved from mechanical systems into intelligent ecosystems. They also explore the emotional dimension of robotics and why people form bonds with machines, and how AI is amplifying that connection.

If you’ve ever wondered how intelligence takes shape in the real world, this episode reveals what’s next at the intersection of AI and robotics, where the digital brain meets the physical body.

Top Insights:

• It's important for the human brain to do stuff that is hard.

• Open source has perks from the marketing side.

• You need to be comfortable with failure and iteration.

• The key word of robotics is robust.

• AI has access only to the high-level decision for now.

• I think it's fine that the robot has a personality.

• You can create a new language for movement.

• The future of robotics is incredibly exciting.

• You should always try to improve on what you're doing.

Connect with Remi Fabre

• Remi Fabre on LinkedIn - https://fr.linkedin.com/in/remifabre

• Remi Fabre on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDuIkx0YEzUMgzpVUu3aatw

• Remi Fabre on X - https://x.com/RemiFabreRobot

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Behind every breakthrough is a builder with a playbook - one that’s forged through trial, mentorship, and iteration.

In this episode, Thomas Bustos dissects the AI Engineer Playbook, a systems-level look at how great builders think, learn, and execute.

He unpacks how to design your own playbook, why copying others will never scale, and how the future belongs to engineers who combine speed, control, and empathy for users.

You’ll walk away challenged to rethink your process, reconnect with your community, and commit to growth that’s as intentional as it is technical.

Listen to this solo deep dive into what it truly takes to create, learn, and lead as an AI engineer.

Top Insights:

• Understand the value of solving problems and time saved.

• Minimize human involvement in engineering processes.

• Focus on user experience to solve the right problems.

• Building is a long-term game requiring curiosity and iteration.

• Define your unique playbook based on personal interests.

• Speed and control are essential in engineering excellence.

• Engage with communities and share your work publicly.

• Mentorship is crucial for growth and direction.

• Iterate on your goals weekly for continuous improvement.

• Be curious and explore new tools and technologies.

Connect with Thomas Bustos

• Thomas Bustos on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasbustos/

• Let’s Talk AI - https://thomasbustos.substack.com/

• Let’s Talk AI on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lets-talk-ai

• Let’s Talk AI on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6mVjFvdEkZDCTXpIuuSLAP

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The path from zero to one is an equation that involves technology, psychology, and culture.

Adam Haney of Infinity Constellation breaks down how modern teams can achieve product-market fit while preserving a human-centric mindset. The discussion examines the convergence of AI tools, leadership communication, and strategic hiring, offering a lens into how effective collaboration fuels innovation.

It’s a grounded conversation on what tech leadership looks like in 2025 and beyond.

Top Insights:

• Technology must harmonize with human-centric services.

• The zero to one phase is crucial for startups.

• AI tools are changing the landscape of product development.

• Unified vision enhances team velocity and effectiveness.

• Building relationships between tech and operations is vital.

• Iterative frameworks help in strategic planning.

• Experience teaches the importance of adaptability in leadership. The best AI services businesses need to be tightly coupled with operations.

• Hands-on experience in engineering fosters a well-rounded skill set.

• AI services are becoming viable for hyperscale companies.

• Understanding customer needs is essential for service success.

• Intuition and data should reinforce each other in decision-making.

• Surrounding yourself with ambitious people raises your own standards.

Connect with Adam Haney

• Adam Haney on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjhaney/

• Infinity Constellation - https://www.infinityconstellation.com/

• Open Story Podcast - https://openstorypodcast.com/

Connect with Thomas Bustos

• Thomas Bustos on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasbustos/

• Let’s Talk AI - https://thomasbustos.substack.com/

• Let’s Talk AI on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lets-talk-ai

• Let’s Talk AI on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6mVjFvdEkZDCTXpIuuSLAP

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Everyone says podcasting is already saturated, but Kevin Smith would disagree.

While most platforms focus on distribution, he’s betting on AI as the core experience. As co-founder of Snipd, Kevin argues that the future of podcasting isn’t about more shows, but about smarter listening: capturing key ideas, surfacing highlights, and creating shareable knowledge from endless hours of audio.

In this conversation, Thomas Bustos pushes on the big questions: is AI enhancing the podcast experience, or is it reshaping it entirely? What happens when AI curates your takeaways better than you can?

For anyone who thinks AI is just a background tool, this episode is a wake-up call. The podcast player itself is becoming intelligent.

Top Insights:

• Decide what to focus on and forget everything else.

• Podcasts are the largest knowledge library in the world.

• You have to be relentlessly resourceful as a founder.

• Talk to people to understand their problems before building.

• Give it to five people, and you'll see the problems immediately.

• Snipd is a fully fledged podcast player with unique features.

• Put small building blocks on top of each other for success.

• The world needs more entrepreneurial energy and spirit.

• AI is changing how we interact with audio content.

Exclusive Listener Offer!

One month free premium access on Snipd - https://link.snipd.com/Cx7S/thomas

Connect with Kevin Smith

• Kevin Smith on LinkedIn - https://ch.linkedin.com/in/kevin-smith-673714b4

• Snipd - https://www.snipd.com/

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.