Best Two Nerd Dads Productions Podcasts (2025)

1
VC Fundamentals: Blue vs Red Oceans, Power Law Returns & Fund Structures – E569 18:40

2d ago18:40

18:40

Jeremy Au shares how venture capital evaluates startups, using examples from crypto confusion, post-WWII VC history, and power law returns. He explains why founders often misunderstand their market type, how tech repeats old cycles, and how VCs structure investments. Speaking practically, he highlights why founders must communicate clearly and how …

1
Jed Ng: Angel Syndicate Strategy, Venture Winter Advantage & Fixing Angel Education - E568 40:24

4d ago40:24

40:24

Jeremy Au chats with Jed Ng, founder of AngelSchool.vc, about why he chose angel syndicates over VC funds as a faster, more flexible path to financial freedom. They discuss the current venture downturn as a rare opportunity, the gaps in angel education, and how Jed scaled his 1,400-member syndicate globally. Jed also shares how he evaluates founder…

1
Rachel Wong: eFishery Fraud Founder Confession, Self-Justification vs. Excuses, & Civil vs. Criminal Startup Ecosystem Consequences – E567 42:36

6d ago42:36

42:36

Jeremy Au and Rachel Wong unpack eFishery's founder’s public confession to systematic fraud. They dive into how cultural pressures, ecosystem gaps, and misplaced investor trust contributed to the fallout. They discuss the challenges of cross-border enforcement, the limits of traditional due diligence, and the real-world consequences for Southeast A…

1
Raising Capital: Team, Product, Economics Filters & Investor Psychology - E566 12:24

9d ago12:24

12:24

Jeremy Au shares insights into how venture capitalists evaluate early-stage startups in Southeast Asia. Speaking directly to aspiring founders, he breaks down how investors assess potential through three core lenses: exponential growth, clarity of thinking, and personal trust. Drawing on personal stories, failed bets, and breakout wins, he explains…

1
Milan Reinartz: Founder to Platform Builder, Community-Led Angel Investing & Scaling Private Access – E565 29:49

11d ago29:49

29:49

Jeremy Au reconnects with Milan Reinartz to explore how angel investing evolved into a community-led platform, why Southeast Asia’s VC math doesn’t work, and how late-stage private markets offer new opportunities for retail millionaires. They talk through founder quality, opaque incentives, and the need for real diligence in a fragmented region. It…

1
Anthea Ong: Saying No to Nominated Member of Parliament (At First), NMP Scheme Reforms & Majoritarian vs. Nonpartisanship - E564 55:20

13d ago55:20

55:20

Jeremy Au reconnects with Anthea Ong for a candid conversation on what it means to lead with integrity, empathy, and independence. They trace her journey from corporate leadership into the social sector and eventually into Parliament as a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP). Anthea shares how she first declined the NMP role, then later accepted it…

1
Valerie Vu: Vietnam’s 46% Tariff Shock, US Trade Fallout & Multipolar Diplomacy Moves – E563 25:30

16d ago25:30

25:30

Jeremy Au speaks with Valerie Vu about Vietnam’s sudden shock from the 46% US tariff under Trump. What started as optimism turned into panic factories collapsed, partners pulled out, and even personal tragedies occurred. The government acted fast, but trust with the US was damaged. Vietnam is now shifting toward multipolar trade, owning more of its…

1
Jeffrey Lonsdale: US Tariffs as Policy, Taiwan Risk Calculus & Southeast Asia’s Supply Chain Opportunity - E562 26:56

18d ago26:56

26:56

Jeremy Au sits down with Jeffrey Lonsdale to unpack the US-China trade standoff, the Taiwan flashpoint, and how Southeast Asia is adapting to global shifts. They explore how tariffs are reshaping supply chains, the risk of trade wars escalating, and the difficult position countries like Vietnam and Singapore now find themselves in. The conversation…

1
BetterHelp Controversy: Therapist Burnout, AI Substitution & Financial Red Flags – E560 8:59

23d ago8:59

8:59

Blue Orca Capital’s allegations against BetterHelp and highlights growing tensions in tech-enabled labor platforms. BetterHelp is accused of using AI to replace human therapists, driven by cost pressures and incentive structures. The case reflects broader risks as AI begins to reshape trust, quality, and business models in two-sided marketplaces. T…

1
Li Hongyi: Google PM to GovTech Leader, Scaling Digital Infrastructure & Fighting Scams with Systems - E559 41:22

25d ago41:22

41:22

Jeremy Au sits down with Li Hongyi, director of Open Government Products, to explore his journey from aspiring physicist to building digital tools for public service. They discuss agency, leadership, and the realities of driving change in government—from the impact of a Google internship to lessons in management and building systems that protect ag…

1
Jordan Dea-Mattson: Indeed Singapore Product Center Rise, Navigating Tech Layoffs & Healing Career Trauma – E558 50:52

27d ago50:52

50:52

Jordan Dea-Mattson, a veteran tech leader, and Jeremy Au discussed how Jordan built developer tools at Apple and went on to lead engineering teams at Adobe and Indeed. They explored how he witnessed Apple’s transformation under Steve Jobs, the often unseen dynamics behind major tech layoffs, and what it takes to grow and scale high-performing teams…

1
Behind the VC Pitch: Signal vs Substance, Support in Downturns - E557 17:00

1M ago17:00

17:00

Jeremy Au breaks down what founders should really look for in a VC—beyond branding. He shares a practical framework for value-add, highlights how VCs behave in failure, and urges founders to dig deeper than surface signals. The conversation also looks at why older founders often perform better, even if they raise less, and the dynamics of VC incent…

1
Startup False Starts, Founder vs. VC Perspectives & Scaling Challenges - E556 18:19

1M ago18:19

18:19

Jeremy Au unpacked why most startups fail and how failure is often misunderstood especially in Southeast Asia’s tech landscape. He pointed out that failure isn’t just about poor execution or bad luck. It’s often structural, recurring across funding stages, and rooted in deeper issues like team mismatches, market timing, or scaling too fast. He also…

1
Gita Sjahrir: Market Crash Fallout, Government Communication Breakdown & Investor Uncertainty – E555 29:16

1M ago29:16

29:16

Jeremy Au talks with Gita Sjahrir, an Indonesian economist and entrepreneur, in a deep dive on Indonesia’s current macroeconomic conditions and policy landscape. They analyze how inconsistent government communication, executional shortcomings, and short-term policymaking have contributed to uncertainty among investors and the public. The discussion…

1
Startup Fundraising: Crafting the Pitch, Building Trust & Ownership Auction – E554 16:39

1M ago16:39

16:39

Jeremy Au discussed how pitching, trust, and fundraising work. He explained that pitching is about expressing a future others can believe in, not just raising money. He shared how traction builds trust, why capital must be chosen carefully, and how great founders turn investor interest into leverage. Drawing on examples like Rewind.ai and BenchSci,…

1
Vikram Bharati: Draper Startup House Expansion, Global Team Building Challenges & Startup Ecosystem Design - E553 38:39

1M ago38:39

38:39

Vikram Bharati, founder of Draper Startup House, and Jeremy Au talked about how the startup world has shifted since their last conversation. They explored how Draper Startup House has expanded across continents while wrestling with the challenge of scaling both physical spaces and community-driven programming. They discussed how remote and hybrid w…

1
Singapore: AI Job Disruption, Hiring Shift & Youth Unemployment with Shiyan Koh - E552 33:34

1M ago33:34

33:34

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au explored the growing challenges of youth unemployment in Singapore and how AI is fundamentally changing the job market. They discussed how the rise of automation is making entry-level roles less necessary, leading companies to prioritize experienced hires who can work with AI rather than tr…

1
VC Decision Making: Growth Expectations, Biases & Fast Deals – E551 15:19

1M ago15:19

15:19

Jeremy Au talked about how venture capitalists assess startups based on their ability to scale rapidly, led by strong founders with a clear strategy and market fit. However, their decisions are shaped by heuristics, biases, and time constraints. The best founders move fast, refine their pitches, and demonstrate exponential growth potential. He also…

1
Benjamin Loh: Polarizing Thought Leadership, Social Media Hard Truths & Family Commitment Learnings - E550 40:11

2M ago40:11

40:11

Benjamin Loh, Certified Speaking Professional and Jeremy Au discussed public speaking, thought leadership, and leadership growth. They reflected on Benjamin’s journey from public speaking to training financial advisors and running a thought leadership agency. They explored how social media amplifies voices, how leaders can shape industry narratives…

1
US-Vietnam Trade Risks, Chinese Factory Relocation & Government Reforms with Valerie Vu - E549 30:07

2M ago30:07

30:07

Jeremy Au and Valerie Vu discussed Vietnam’s evolving role in global trade, the impact of US-China tensions, and the country’s sweeping internal reforms. They explore how foreign investments are reshaping Vietnam’s industries, how the government is navigating trade uncertainties, and how local businesses are adapting to increased competition. They …

1
Startup Economics: Blitzscaling Pitfalls, Market Strategy & Funding vs. Execution - E548 12:44

2M ago12:44

12:44

Jeremy Au breaks down the fundamentals of unit economics, customer acquisition, and blitzscaling in startups. Using real-world examples, he explains how different business models—like SaaS versus consumer goods—affect profitability and marketing strategies. The conversation explores the challenges of scaling aggressively, the importance of timing i…

1
Sadaf Sultan: eFishery Scandal Breakdown, Startup Financial Shenanigans & VC Fraud Detection - E547 51:47

2M ago51:47

51:47

Sadaf Sultan, Founder of Finprojections, and Jeremy Au analyzed the eFishery financial scandal and discuss broader issues of financial fraud in startups. They talked about why eFishery was appealing to investors and how the fraud unfolded and shared their insights into detecting fraud effectively. They explore the challenges faced during investor d…

1
$12B Pertamina Corruption Case, Public Crisis & Government Policy Risks & Energy Market Reform with Gita Sjahrir - E546 36:37

2M ago36:37

36:37

Gita Sjahrir, Senior Advisor at TBS Energi Utama, and Jeremy Au talked about the complexities of corporate governance and accountability within emerging markets. They discussed the eFishery scandal, the Pertamina corruption case, and the broader implications for economic growth and investor trust. 1. Investor Due Diligence: Gita and Jeremy highligh…

1
Why Startups Fail: Common Mistakes, VC Perspective & Founder Comeback - E545 25:52

2M ago25:52

25:52

Jeremy Au discussed common startup failure patterns, and emphasized that failure is frequent and often inevitable even for companies that make it to later funding stages. Many startups fail to deliver financial returns for investors, regardless of how innovative or pioneering they might be. He also talked about various reasons for failure, from tea…

1
Kwok Jiachuan: COVID-19’s Impact on Nonprofits, Conjunct’s Shift in Business Model & The Role of Capacity Builders - E544 37:45

2M ago37:45

37:45

Jeremy Au reconnects with Kwok Jiachuan, his first-ever podcast guest, to reflect on their journey from school friends to army roommates to co-founders of Conjunct Consulting. They talked about the challenges of starting and scaling a social impact consultancy, from early skepticism to securing funding and navigating the evolving nonprofit landscap…

1
Mike Michalec: $1B+ Edtech Investments, Market Due Diligence Failures & Real-World Education Gaps - E543 26:38

2M ago26:38

26:38

Mike Michalec shares his journey from molecular research to outdoor adventure guiding and eventually into education consulting in Southeast Asia. He discusses the region’s diverse education landscape, the challenges of scaling edtech businesses, and the impact of China’s regulatory crackdown on the sector. He explains why many education startups fa…

1
VC Decision Making: Sequential Bets, Navigating Market Exits & Addressing Regulatory Challenges - E542 16:52

2M ago16:52

16:52

Jeremy Au discussed key aspects of venture capital decision-making and tech regulation including how VCs make sequential investment choices, navigate acquisition offers and public listing routes, and address regulatory challenges. He also examined how customer advocacy and jurisdictional differences shape tech policy, while debating the trade-offs …

1
Yuying Deng: Esevel's Product Iteration Strategy, Mastering Delegation & Parent Founder Learnings - E541 38:46

2M ago38:46

38:46

Yuying Deng, CEO of Esevel, and Jeremy Au talked about Esevel’s IT service business evolution over the past few years. They trace the journey from handling simple device procurement in Southeast Asia (with a focus on Singapore, India, and Indonesia) to offering full IT life cycle management and cybersecurity support. They also discussed how custome…

1
Southeast Asia Startup Evolution, eFishery’s $100M Capital Burn Lessons & Private Equity Style VC Insights with Mohan Belani - E540 59:08

2M ago59:08

59:08

Mohan Belani, CEO and Cofounder of e27, and Jeremy Au talked about how the Southeast Asia startup scene has transformed over the past decade, including the shift from early-stage exuberance to a more cautious, capital-efficient mindset, and citing specific cases like eFishery and Carousell. They touched on regional challenges, with markets as diffe…

1
Blitzscaling: Uber vs. Lyft, First-Mover Traps & VC Power Laws - E539 26:55

2M ago26:55

26:55

Jeremy Au explored the strategic dynamics of venture capital, network effects, and first-mover risks in technology markets. He illustrated how Uber outmaneuvered Lyft by aggressively raising capital to fuel network effects, while Airbnb achieved superior capital efficiency through globally pooled inventory. Using the case of Henn Tan, the Singapore…

1
Jeraldine Phneah: Journalism to Tech Sales, Enterprise Sales vs. Content Creation Gender Bias & Building an Authentic Online Persona - E538 33:53

2M ago33:53

33:53

Jeraldine Phneah, Content Creator & Account Director of one of the top AI SaaS companies, and Jeremy Au discussed: Journalism to Enterprise Tech Sales: Jeraldine studied journalism and public policy but pivoted to enterprise tech sales in 2016 for financial stability, future-proofing, and work-life balance. Initially hesitant, she realized B2B SaaS…

1
Trump’s Trade War Acceleration, $100M DeepSeek Ban Proposal & Grab-GoTo Merger Talks - E537 36:33

3M ago36:33

36:33

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Trump’s Economic Policies, Tariffs & Crypto Initiatives: They examined the economic impact of Trump’s 2025 return, including a 10% tariff hike on Chinese imports and new tariffs on Canada and Mexico. The administration also ended the de minimis exemption for low-cost e-commerc…

1
How eFishery Fooled Investors, Informal Business Practices, Agritech Future – E536 31:41

3M ago31:41

31:41

Adriel Yong, Orvel Venture Partner, and Jeremy Au discussed: How eFishery Fooled Investors: They examined the elaborate scheme that allowed eFishery to inflate revenue and mislead major investors. They broke down the warning signs, such as financial irregularities, CFO departure (similar to Zilingo failure signal) and too-good-to-be-true business m…

1
Viktor Kyosev: Navigating Startup Failure, Greenhouse Founder to Docquity Chief of Staff & Southeast Asia Startups Integrity Risks - E535 45:31

3M ago45:31

45:31

Viktor Kyosev, Chief of Staff at Docquity, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Navigating Startup Failure: Viktor shared his experience as a founding team member of Greenhouse, a premium coworking space startup in Indonesia. Faced with declining performance during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company went through layoffs and failed pivots before he made the …

1
Indonesia eFishery Unicorn Scandal Q&A, Fraud, Due Diligence & Governance Failures & Toxic Founder Pressure & Temptations - E534 48:23

3M ago48:23

48:23

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast: Indonesia eFishery Unicorn Scandal Q&A, Fraud, Due Diligence & Governance Failures & Toxic Founder Pressure & Temptations - E534 Jeremy Au and Gita Sjahrir discussed: 1. Indonesia eFishery Unicorn Scandal Q&A: Jeremy and Gita analyzed the fraud involving eFishery’s co-founders, including Gibran Chuzaefah, who alle…

1
Southeast Asia Series B Valley of Death & VC Bet Market Timing - E533 23:46

3M ago23:46

23:46

Jeremy Au discussed three key insights on Southeast Asia venture capital. First, he highlighted the "Series B Valley of Death," where local funds support pre-seed to Series A, and global investors focus on later stages, but Series B and C funding gaps force startups into aggressive cost-cutting or revenue expansion. Second, he emphasized the import…

1
Jingjing Zhong: AI Impact on Service Businesses, CRM vs. RAG Reality, Founder Productivity Lifestyle - E532 52:23

3M ago52:23

52:23

JingJing Zhong, the Co-founder and CEO of Superbench and Jeremy Au discussed: AI Impact on Service Businesses: JingJing explained how AI advancements have transformed traditional service industries. Previously, AI struggled with logic and calculations, making it unreliable for tasks like generating service quotes. Now, improved reasoning allows AI …

1
Startup Unicorn GDP Per Capita Time Machine & VC as Olympic Coaches - E531 49:55

3M ago49:55

49:55

Jeremy Au referenced Asia Partners’ report predicting a surge in Southeast Asian unicorns based on macroeconomic fundamentals, and discussed the GDP per capita “time machine” phenomenon where Chinese and American founders enter Southeast Asia to replicate proven business models in frontier markets. He also shared an LP’s perspective on Southeast As…

1
Startup Customer Personas & Long Game Marketing– E530 35:56

3M ago35:56

35:56

Jeremy Au explored the intricacies of understanding customer personas and the challenges of market research. He emphasized the importance of creating nuanced personas for effective marketing, distinguishing them from harmful stereotypes by grounding them in real customer behaviors and needs. He shared insights on the pitfalls of traditional survey …

1
Nicolas Bivero: 8-Year Side Hustle to Full-Time Founder at 44, Japan Intern to Philippines Director and PEO Industry for Filipino Talent - E529 37:18

3M ago37:18

37:18

Nicolas Bivero, CEO & Co-Founder of Penbrothers, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Japan Intern to Philippines Director: Nicolas Bivero shared his journey as a Venezuelan-German, transitioning across continents and industries. His early exposure to Japanese culture through karate and aikido, influenced by his father, inspired his eventual move to Japan. …

1
GDP Per Capita vs. Unicorns, Interest Rate Liquidity Lever & Localized Approached - E528 31:16

3M ago31:16

31:16

Jeremy Au explored the evolving venture capital landscape in Southeast Asia by linking GDP per capita thresholds (US$5K in Vietnam, Indonesia & Philippines vs. US$94K Singapore) to the rise of unicorns like Gojek and Grab. Jeremy also explored the implications of high global interest rates, which have reshaped venture capital deployment, shifting f…

1
Product-Market Fit, Persevere vs. Pivot & Lean Build, Measure and Learn - E527 25:19

3M ago25:19

25:19

Jeremy Au examined the evolution of technology marketing and communication, emphasizing the transformative impact of AI, the importance of addressing consumers' primary problems, and the iterative nature of innovation in startups. Jeremy stressed the necessity of solving consumers' most pressing problems at the right moment to achieve product-marke…

1
Kristie Neo: Channel News Asia to DealStreetAsia VC Editor, Investigative Journalism, Unicorn Mismanagement (Revolution Precrafted) - E526 39:48

3M ago39:48

39:48

Kristie Neo, VC (Southeast Asia) Editor at DealStreetAsia, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Channel News Asia to DealStreetAsia VC Editor: Kristie began her journalism career at Channel News Asia (CNA), working in documentaries and later transitioning to business news. She emphasized CNA’s commitment to telling stories through an “Asian perspective,” wh…

1
Indonesia: eFishery’s $1B Valuation Collapse, 2024 Fraud Allegations, and Sovereign Fund Exits with Shiyan Koh - E525 36:00

3M ago36:00

36:00

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. eFishery Fraud Allegations: Once an Indonesian agritech darling, eFishery’s end-to-end aquaculture solutions were lauded for their potential to improve farmers’ productivity and incomes. eFishery had achieved a $1 billion valuation in 2023, backed by investors like Temasek, …

1
Unicorn & Blockbuster Hunting, Emerging Fund Returns & Southeast Asia VC Landscape - E524 29:26

4M ago29:26

29:26

Jeremy Au discussed the financial returns of venture capital. Firstly, he explored the concept of power law returns, emphasizing that only 4% of startups generate 10-50x returns, with examples like WhatsApp achieving 50x and Zoom delivering 22x even at later stages. He highlighted this phenomenon's prevalence in industries such as Hollywood (blockb…

1
Yudara Kularathne: D*ck Pics for Science, Child Emergency Doctor to AI Founder & Model Training vs. Regulatory Affairs - E523 36:20

4M ago36:20

36:20

Yudara Kularathne, CEO & Cofounder of HeHealth, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. D*ck Pics for Science: Yudara described the progress of HeHealth, an AI-powered men’s health app launched in 2022. The app helps users detect sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by analyzing images. Within two weeks of its release, the app received over 20,000 downloads …

1
Whaling Power Law, LP Incentives & VC 2 & 20 - E522 25:01

4M ago25:01

25:01

Jeremy Au explored the nuances of venture capital through three lenses. He described how LPs, such as sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors, pursue diversification and long-term returns, often seeking a 25% net IRR to justify the high risks of VC, as seen in Southeast Asia's emerging tech ecosystem. Using the "2 and 20" model, Jeremy e…

1
VC Selection Edge vs. Startup Fraud, Local Expertise & Whaling Power Law - E521 28:04

4M ago28:04

28:04

Jeremy Au discussed the nuanced challenges faced by venture capitalists in assessing startups, emphasizing the importance of local expertise and first-principles thinking. For example, he shared how his understanding of Singaporean founders—gained through years of personal interactions—provided him with an edge over Silicon Valley VCs. He highlight…

1
Pinn Lawjindakul: Bain Consultant to Grab Head, Tiger Global to Lightspeed VC Partner, Southeast Asia vs. China & India - E520 38:52

4M ago38:52

38:52

Pinn Lawjindakul, Partner of Lightspeed Southeast Asia and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Bain Consultant to Grab Head: Pinn recounted her shift from Bain & Company, where she started as an intern in 2011, to joining Grab in 2015 during its rapid expansion. She highlighted the operational and cultural differences between consulting in San Francisco and So…

1
Jianggan Li: China Exporters vs. Trump, Expansion to Saudi Arabia & Middle East, Electric Vehicle Wars - E519 28:00

4M ago28:00

28:00

Jianggan Li, Founder & CEO of Momentum Works, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. China Exporters vs. Trump: Jianggan Li shared his experiences from nine trips to China, highlighting how exporters are stockpiling goods to mitigate U.S.-China trade tensions amid 2025 Trump-era tariffs. Discussions in Hangzhou emphasized the limits of the “China Plus One” st…

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