EPISODE
Chris Black, Chris Buskirk, Turner Caldwell, Jamin Ball, Harper Carroll, Nikita Singareddy
01:32:50 Chris Black is a New York-based writer, producer, and editor, known for his creative consultancy, Done to Death Projects, and as co-host of the podcast "How Long Gone." ([powerhousebooks.com]( [highroadtouring.com]( In the conversation, he discusses his 2015 advice book "I Know You Think You Know It All," his upcoming memoir slated for 2026, and the evolving landscape of book promotion, emphasizing the impact of podcasts and traditional media appearances on sales.
02:04:25 Chris Buskirk is a serial entrepreneur, author, and co-founder of 1789 Capital, a venture capital firm focusing on conservative-aligned companies. In the conversation, he discusses the resurgence of optimism in the business climate, emphasizing the importance of abundant, cheap energy for national prosperity and highlighting the need for the U.S. to develop its own rare earth magnet production to reduce reliance on China. He also touches on the role of government in fostering innovation, suggesting a balance between deregulation and strategic support for critical industries.
02:24:15 Turner Caldwell, CEO of Mariana Minerals, discusses his company's role as a vertically integrated, software-first mining firm that focuses on engineering, financing, constructing, and operating mining projects post-exploration. He emphasizes the industry's need to shorten the timeline from mineral discovery to production, highlighting the challenges in designing and implementing mining infrastructure. Caldwell also announces Mariana Minerals' emergence from stealth mode with a $65 million Series A funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz and Breakthrough Energy Ventures.
02:34:50 Jamin Ball, a Partner at Altimeter Capital, discusses his experience attempting to invest in Figma during its Series C funding round, which he refers to as the "white buffalo" of his career. He highlights Figma's impressive growth rate of 49% and free cash flow margins of 28%, positioning it as a leading software company. Ball also emphasizes the resilience of Figma's management team in navigating challenges, including a failed acquisition, and expresses confidence in their ability to adapt to emerging technologies like AI.
02:46:35 Harper Carroll, an AI educator and machine learning engineer with degrees from Stanford and experience at Meta, discusses the potential of AI in children's education, emphasizing its role in fostering curiosity and learning through interactive audio models. She highlights the importance of developing AI tools that are accessible and engaging for children, while also addressing ethical considerations and the need for appropriate guardrails to ensure safe and effective use. Carroll also shares insights from her audience, noting that some parents have successfully integrated AI into their children's learning experiences, such as using AI as a "cool older sister" to discuss topics like nutrition and exercise.
03:04:00 Nikita Singareddy, co-founder and CEO of Fortuna Health, a platform simplifying Medicaid enrollment, discusses the company's recent Series A funding led by Houston, their mission to create a "TurboTax for Medicaid" to streamline the complex application process, and their B2B2C model partnering with insurance companies to enhance user experience. She highlights the challenges of navigating state-specific Medicaid rules, the persistence of outdated technologies like fax machines in healthcare, and the importance of addressing real-world complexities beyond basic AI capabilities. Singareddy also emphasizes the need for innovative solutions in healthcare, such as AI nurses, to tackle issues like physician shortages and improve patient care.