World Model · podcast knowledge graph

The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)

2024-06-27 · 85 min · 69 entities

episode page audio

Asserted relationships

  • → references Robert Tappan Morris person
    0.77
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Tappan_Morris
  • 0.77
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Founders-Work-Stories-Startups-Early/dp/1430210788
  • 0.77
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Carry-Jeeves-Dover-Thrift-Editions/dp/0486848957
  • 0.77
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Very-Good-Jeeves-Wooster-Book-ebook/dp/B0051GST06
  • → references Right Ho Jeeves P Wodehouse Ebook book
    0.77
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Right-Ho-Jeeves-P-Wodehouse-ebook/dp/B083FFDNHN
  • → references Life Keith Richards Ebook book
    0.77
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Life-Keith-Richards-ebook/dp/B003UBTX72
  • → references My Name Barbra Streisand book
    0.77
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/My-Name-Barbra-Streisand/dp/0525429522
  • → references Clarksons Farm Season 1 book
    0.77
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Clarksons-Farm-Season-1/dp/B095RHJ52R
  • → hosted by Lenny Rachitsky person
    0.55
    evidence rules-v4
    Feed author/publisher: Lenny Rachitsky
  • → works at DoorDash company
    0.50
    evidence rules-v4
    CEO of DoorDash
  • → works at DoorDash company
    0.50
    evidence rules-v4
    CEO of DoorDash
  • → discusses Technology company
    0.40
    evidence rules-v4
    Feed category: Technology
  • → discusses Business concept
    0.40
    evidence rules-v4
    Feed category: Business
  • → discusses Entrepreneurship concept
    0.40
    evidence rules-v4
    Feed category: Entrepreneurship
  • → references penname.co website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://penname.co/
  • → references ycombinator.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/
  • → references rippling.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://rippling.com/
  • → references Yellowstone website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://peacocktv.com/stream-tv/yellowstone
  • → references thesocialradars.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://thesocialradars.com/
  • → references Jessica website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://paulgraham.com/jessica.html
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://economist.com/culture/2022/02/19/the-founders-examines-the-rise-and-legend-of-paypal
  • → references Hr Platform person
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://connect.trinet.com/hr-platform
  • → references goat.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://goat.com/
  • → references smartless.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://smartless.com/
  • → references Ja Tony Xu Co Founder Ceo Of Doordash website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/Ja-tony-xu-co-founder-ceo-of-doordash
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/JW-brian-chesky-co-founder-ceo-of-airbnb
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/Kx-patrick-john-collison-co-founders-of-stripe
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/K3-brian-armstrong-co-founder-and-ceo-of-coinbase
  • → references KM Emmett Shear Co Founder Of Twitch website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/KM-emmett-shear-co-founder-of-twitch
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/L0-adora-cheung-co-founder-of-homejoy-instalab
  • → references startupschool.org website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://startupschool.org/
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/Ky-parker-conrad-founder-of-zenefits-rippling
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://hulu.com/series/schitts-creek-a2e7a946-9652-48a8-884b-3ea7ea4de273
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://techcrunch.com/2006/10/31/breaking-news-conde-nastwired-acquires-reddit
  • → references crv.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://crv.com/

Entities found in this episode

websites 40

  • mentioned penname.co website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://penname.co/
  • mentioned ycombinator.com website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/
  • mentioned rippling.com website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://rippling.com/
  • mentioned Yellowstone website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://peacocktv.com/stream-tv/yellowstone
  • mentioned thesocialradars.com website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://thesocialradars.com/
  • mentioned Jessica website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://paulgraham.com/jessica.html
  • 0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://economist.com/culture/2022/02/19/the-founders-examines-the-rise-and-legend-of-paypal
  • mentioned goat.com website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://goat.com/
  • mentioned smartless.com website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://smartless.com/
  • 0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/Ja-tony-xu-co-founder-ceo-of-doordash
  • 0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/JW-brian-chesky-co-founder-ceo-of-airbnb
  • 0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/Kx-patrick-john-collison-co-founders-of-stripe
  • 0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/K3-brian-armstrong-co-founder-and-ceo-of-coinbase
  • 0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/KM-emmett-shear-co-founder-of-twitch
  • 0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/L0-adora-cheung-co-founder-of-homejoy-instalab
  • mentioned startupschool.org website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://startupschool.org/
  • 0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/Ky-parker-conrad-founder-of-zenefits-rippling
  • 0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://hulu.com/series/schitts-creek-a2e7a946-9652-48a8-884b-3ea7ea4de273
  • 0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://techcrunch.com/2006/10/31/breaking-news-conde-nastwired-acquires-reddit
  • mentioned crv.com website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://crv.com/
  • references penname.co website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://penname.co/
  • references ycombinator.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/
  • references rippling.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://rippling.com/
  • references Yellowstone website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://peacocktv.com/stream-tv/yellowstone
  • references thesocialradars.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://thesocialradars.com/
  • references Jessica website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://paulgraham.com/jessica.html
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://economist.com/culture/2022/02/19/the-founders-examines-the-rise-and-legend-of-paypal
  • references goat.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://goat.com/
  • references smartless.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://smartless.com/
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/Ja-tony-xu-co-founder-ceo-of-doordash
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/JW-brian-chesky-co-founder-ceo-of-airbnb
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/Kx-patrick-john-collison-co-founders-of-stripe
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/K3-brian-armstrong-co-founder-and-ceo-of-coinbase
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/KM-emmett-shear-co-founder-of-twitch
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/L0-adora-cheung-co-founder-of-homejoy-instalab
  • references startupschool.org website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://startupschool.org/
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://ycombinator.com/library/Ky-parker-conrad-founder-of-zenefits-rippling
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://hulu.com/series/schitts-creek-a2e7a946-9652-48a8-884b-3ea7ea4de273
  • 0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://techcrunch.com/2006/10/31/breaking-news-conde-nastwired-acquires-reddit
  • references crv.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://crv.com/

books 14

  • 0.90
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Founders-Work-Stories-Startups-Early/dp/1430210788
  • 0.90
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Carry-Jeeves-Dover-Thrift-Editions/dp/0486848957
  • 0.90
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Very-Good-Jeeves-Wooster-Book-ebook/dp/B0051GST06
  • 0.90
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Right-Ho-Jeeves-P-Wodehouse-ebook/dp/B083FFDNHN
  • mentioned Life Keith Richards Ebook book
    0.90
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Life-Keith-Richards-ebook/dp/B003UBTX72
  • mentioned My Name Barbra Streisand book
    0.90
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/My-Name-Barbra-Streisand/dp/0525429522
  • mentioned Clarksons Farm Season 1 book
    0.90
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Clarksons-Farm-Season-1/dp/B095RHJ52R
  • 0.77
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Founders-Work-Stories-Startups-Early/dp/1430210788
  • 0.77
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Carry-Jeeves-Dover-Thrift-Editions/dp/0486848957
  • 0.77
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Very-Good-Jeeves-Wooster-Book-ebook/dp/B0051GST06
  • 0.77
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Right-Ho-Jeeves-P-Wodehouse-ebook/dp/B083FFDNHN
  • references Life Keith Richards Ebook book
    0.77
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Life-Keith-Richards-ebook/dp/B003UBTX72
  • references My Name Barbra Streisand book
    0.77
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/My-Name-Barbra-Streisand/dp/0525429522
  • references Clarksons Farm Season 1 book
    0.77
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://amazon.com/Clarksons-Farm-Season-1/dp/B095RHJ52R

persons 6

  • mentioned Robert Tappan Morris person
    0.90
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Tappan_Morris
  • references Robert Tappan Morris person
    0.77
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Tappan_Morris
  • mentioned Lenny Rachitsky person
    0.70
    evidence rules-v4
    Feed author/publisher: Lenny Rachitsky
  • hosted by Lenny Rachitsky person
    0.55
    evidence rules-v4
    Feed author/publisher: Lenny Rachitsky
  • mentioned Hr Platform person
    0.45
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://connect.trinet.com/hr-platform
  • references Hr Platform person
    0.38
    evidence rules-v4
    Link in episode "The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)": https://connect.trinet.com/hr-platform

companys 5

  • mentioned DoorDash company
    0.62
    evidence rules-v4
    CEO of DoorDash
  • mentioned Technology company
    0.50
    evidence rules-v4
    Feed category: Technology
  • works at DoorDash company
    0.50
    evidence rules-v4
    CEO of DoorDash
  • works at DoorDash company
    0.50
    evidence rules-v4
    CEO of DoorDash
  • discusses Technology company
    0.40
    evidence rules-v4
    Feed category: Technology

concepts 4

  • mentioned Business concept
    0.50
    evidence rules-v4
    Feed category: Business
  • mentioned Entrepreneurship concept
    0.50
    evidence rules-v4
    Feed category: Entrepreneurship
  • discusses Business concept
    0.40
    evidence rules-v4
    Feed category: Business
  • discusses Entrepreneurship concept
    0.40
    evidence rules-v4
    Feed category: Entrepreneurship
Episode description as stored
Jessica Livingston is a co-founder of Y Combinator, the first and most successful startup accelerator. Y Combinator has funded over 5,000 companies, 200 of which are now unicorns, including Airbnb, Dropbox, DoorDash, Stripe, Coinbase, and Reddit. Jessica played a crucial role in YC’s early success, when she was nicknamed the “social radar” because of her uncanny ability to quickly evaluate people—an essential skill when investing in early-stage startups. She’s also the host of the popular podcast The Social Radars, where she interviews billion-dollar-startup founders, and the author of the acclaimed book Founders at Work , which captures the origin stories of some of today’s most interesting companies. In our conversation, we discuss: • How Jessica gained the affectionate title of the “social radar” • Why defensive founders are a red flag • How to develop your social radar • What she looks for in founders during YC interviews • How YC’s early inexperience in angel investing led to the batch model • Her favorite stories from interviews with Airbnb, Rippling, and more • Lessons learned from hosting her own podcast • Much more — Brought to you by: • Enterpret —Transform customer feedback into product growth • Anvil —The fastest way to build software for documents • Vanta —Automate compliance. Simplify security — Find the transcript at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-social-radar-jessica-livingston — Where to find Jessica Livingston: • X: https://x.com/jesslivingston • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicalivingston1/ • Podcast: https://www.thesocialradars.com/ — Where to find Lenny: • Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com • X: https://twitter.com/lennysan • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/ — In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Jessica’s background (02:42) Thoughts on being under-recognized (07:52) Jessica’s superpower: the social radar (15:11) Evaluating founders: key traits and red flags (21:00) The Airbnb story: a lesson in hustle and determination (25:57) A YC success story (28:26) The importance of earnestness (32:45) Confidence vs. defensiveness (34:43) Commitment and co-founder disputes (37:46) Relentless resourcefulness (40:00) Jessica’s social radar: origins and insights (43:24) Honing her social radar skills (45:44) Conviction and scams: a Y Combinator story (46:50) The interview process: challenges and insights (48:20) Operationalizing founder evaluation (49:38) Advice for building social radar skills (52:08) The “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” quiz (55:19) Jessica’s podcast: The Social Radars (01:00:34) Lessons from podcasting and interviewing (01:09:58) Lightning round — Referenced: • Paul Graham’s post about Jessica: https://paulgraham.com/jessica.html • Paul Graham on X: https://x.com/paulg • Robert Tappan Morris: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Tappan_Morris • Trevor Blackwell on X: https://x.com/tlbtlbtlb • Y Combinator: https://www.ycombinator.com/ • “The Founders” examines the rise and legend of PayPal: https://www.economist.com/culture/2022/02/19/the-founders-examines-the-rise-and-legend-of-paypal • Patrick Collison on X: https://x.com/patrickc • John Collison on X: https://x.com/collision • Brian Chesky on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianchesky/ • Nate Blecharczyk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blecharczyk/ • Joe Gebbia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgebbia/ • Airbnb’s CEO says a $40 cereal box changed the course of the multibillion-dollar company: https://fortune.com/2023/04/19/airbnb-ceo-cereal-box-investors-changed-everything-billion-dollar-company/ • Parker Conrad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parkerconrad/ • Zenefits: https://connect.trinet.com/hr-platform • Goat: https://www.goat.com/ • Eddy Lu on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddylu/ • Drew Houston on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewhouston/ • Arash Ferdowsi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arashferdowsi/ • Lessons from 1,000+ YC startups: