Founder's Story

• He’s Not Replacing Humans with AI—He’s Teaching It to Care | Ep. 277 with Sunil Raina Founder of Cerebree

  In this episode of Founder’s Story, Daniel Robbins sits down with Sunil Raina, a visionary technologist and founder of CereBree, a cognitive infrastructure platform designed to reshape how humans and machines coexist. Sunil reveals how his team is building AI systems rooted in emotional intelligence—technology designed to augment human ability, not replace it. Together, they explore the delicate balance between empathy and efficiency, and what it really means to create a “conscious” AI. Key Discussion Points Sunil begins by addressing one of AI’s biggest misconceptions: that it’s here to eliminate human jobs. He explains how CereBree’s mission is to unify fragmented systems—work, learning, and well-being—into one seamless layer of orchestration that simplifies life, not complicates it. He dives into the idea of AI as a personal concierge—a digital companion that learns your habits, anticipates your needs, and offers actionable help, from reminding you to rest after poor sleep to automating daily tasks across travel, healthcare, and personal development. Sunil also explores the ethics of empathy-driven AI: “It’s not about asking, ‘How are you feeling?’ It’s about saying, ‘Here’s what can make you feel better.’” Drawing from decades of emotional intelligence data, he shares how CereBree is building AI capable of sensing human sentiment and offering meaningful, compassionate responses—starting with groundbreaking applications for autism therapy and caregiver support. Finally, the conversation turns personal as Daniel and Sunil discuss the entrepreneurial chaos of chasing too many problems. Sunil’s advice? “The difference between insanity and genius is measured by success. Focus, resilience, and vision—that’s how you build the future.” Takeaways AI’s future isn’t about automation—it’s about amplification. True progress lies in systems that understand human context, emotion, and purpose. Compassion, empathy, and health must anchor every innovation. As Sunil reminds us, the goal isn’t to create smarter machines, but wiser societies. Closing Thoughts This conversation is a rare glimpse into the mind of a founder shaping the moral and emotional backbone of AI’s next era. Sunil Raina reminds us that the future belongs not to the cold efficiency of machines, but to the warmth of intelligence built with humanity in mind. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• He Built a Billion-Dollar Company—After Growing Up With One Pair of Shoes | Ep. 276 with Jerry Lopez Founder of PhilSocial and Philcoin

  In this episode of Founder’s Story, Daniel Robbins sits down with Jerry Lopez, one of the most impactful philanthropy innovators of the digital age. Jerry—born in Puerto Rico, raised in poverty, and self-made by 25—shares the raw, deeply personal story behind his rise from hardship, why Bitcoin changed his life, and how he built the world’s first philanthropy-driven blockchain ecosystem with Philcoin and PhilSocial. Key Discussion Points Jerry returns to his childhood in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, growing up in a 530-sq-ft home, raised by a single mother working two jobs. He speaks about the moment at age thirteen when his brother arrived home with a pregnant girlfriend—and how watching his mother break down under pressure became the turning point that shaped his entire life mission.He explains how he invented his first device at sixteen, became a contractor by nineteen, and earned his first million by twenty-five—all fueled by an obsession to never be poor again.Jerry then reveals how a friend forced him to learn Bitcoin in 2014, the day a $283 Bitcoin turned into $900, and why he immediately knew blockchain would transform humanity. This insight led him to found Philcoin and later PhilSocial—the first social platform where users actually earn crypto for their time and are required to give half of it away to causes they care about.He breaks down the philosophy behind Faithonomics, why faith is a “currency,” and how belief activates provision before reality catches up. He also shares the brutal setbacks: three bear markets, a $10M rug pull, and building an ecosystem no one had ever seen before. Takeaways Mindset is the foundation of transformation—progress, even tiny progress, rewires belief. Faith fuels vision before results ever appear. Poverty, pain, and setbacks can become the engine for purpose. Crypto’s future is in impact and decentralization, not speculation. And the next generation of global giving will be peer-to-peer—powered by users, not corporations. Closing Thoughts Jerry’s story is a masterclass in resilience, belief, and mission-driven innovation. From a childhood with no streetlights to leading a global movement in blockchain philanthropy, his journey proves that circumstances don’t define destiny—mindset does. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• He Built a Startup That Books 5% of All Podcast Interviews—With No Code. | Ep. 275 with Parker Olson Co-Founder of Podpitch

  In this episode of Founder’s Story, Daniel Robbins sits down with Parker Olson, the creator of PodPitch—the fast-growing platform now responsible for 4–5% of all weekly English-speaking podcast bookings. Parker breaks down the exact zero-to-one steps behind building software without code, finding product-market fit, securing early revenue, and surviving the mental collapse moments that nearly ended his career. Key Discussion Points: Parker shares how a VA using a no-code scraper for influencer outreach accidentally inspired the entire PodPitch engine. He reveals why the biggest mistake founders make is trying to build products they themselves don’t use, and how he validated PodPitch by asking prospects a single uncomfortable question: “Why won’t you give me $10 right now?”He goes deep into pricing strategy, experimenting in real time on sales calls, and how one tiny feature unlocked the entire business. Parker also opens up about living in a tent for two years, getting bed bugs in his camper van, dropping spoiled CPG samples across 60 stores, and being wrongfully arrested—all while bootstrapping his previous company. The conversation expands into the rise of solopreneurs, why “painkillers beat vitamins,” and how AI is shifting the future of work faster than anyone is ready for. Takeaways The best software companies are built by founders solving their own painful problems—not chasing trends. Early traction isn’t about flashy branding; it’s about finding the first person who will pay real money. No-code tools have erased excuses—anyone can build an MVP today. Entrepreneurship is 90% psychological endurance, 10% execution, and the future belongs to solopreneurs solving hyper-specific problems using AI and automation. Closing Thoughts This conversation is a masterclass in honesty, resilience, and the simple frameworks that actually build successful products. If you’ve ever wanted to launch an app—or escape the traditional 9–5—this episode will flip a switch inside you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• From $1,000 to $300M: The Wild Story of How Dan Novaes Raised $60M Without a Single VC | Ep 274 with Dan Novaes Founder of Mode Mobile

  In this episode of Founder’s Story, Daniel Robbins sits down with Dan Novaes, the visionary behind Mode Mobile. What began as a $1,000 project at age fifteen evolved into a company now valued at over $300 million—with more than 57,000 shareholders. Novaes opens up about the brutal realities of scaling, the crash that nearly ended it all, and how a bold pivot into crowdfunding changed everything. Key Discussion Points:Novaes recounts his journey from early entrepreneurial experiments to building Mode Mobile, where he faced near collapse after losing major advertisers like FTX and Voyager. He reveals how discipline, mindfulness, and a pivot to equity crowdfunding helped Mode raise over $60 million directly from users. He also breaks down the importance of product-market fit, the mental toll of leadership during crises, and how to stay adaptable in fast-changing industries. Takeaways:Entrepreneurship is a cycle of peaks and freefalls. Novaes emphasizes that every business must pivot or perish—and that growth requires deep strategic thinking, not just relentless action. He credits his company’s resurgence to embracing transparency, connecting directly with everyday investors, and using setbacks as springboards for smarter, more sustainable scaling. Closing Thoughts:From teenage hustler to tech CEO, Dan Novaes proves that resilience, reinvention, and relentless focus can turn even the darkest chapters into defining wins. His journey with Mode Mobile is a masterclass in building a movement, not just a company. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Dr. Cali Estes: The Untold Truth About Addiction, Fame, and Why Rehab Is Broken | Ep. 273 with Dr. Cali Estes Founder of Sober on Demand and The Addictions Academy

  In this episode of Founder’s Story, Daniel Robbins sits down with Dr. Cali Estes Founder of Sober on Demand and The Addictions Academy, to uncover her extraordinary journey—from being homeless and broke to building a multi-million-dollar global addiction recovery empire. Cali opens up about how she started her business with just $300 and rent due, why she was forced to take on an industry that tried to destroy her, and the personal battles that shaped her mission. Key Discussion Points:Cali reveals what really happens inside the world of addiction recovery and why traditional rehab often fails. She shares unfiltered stories of working with celebrities, athletes, and CEOs at the top of their game—people who look invincible on the outside but are struggling in silence. She also breaks down her controversial but effective biohacking approach, from parasite cleanses to peptides, explaining why 90% of mental health issues aren’t mental at all, but physical. Takeaways:Listeners will learn why hitting rock bottom can be the most powerful catalyst for entrepreneurship, how mindset and manifestation can literally put your rent money in the bank overnight, and why treating the body—not just the mind—may be the real breakthrough for mental health. Dr. Cali’s story proves that standing your ground against critics, even when they come for your reputation, can flip an industry on its head. Closing Thoughts:Addiction, burnout, and mental health crises don’t just happen to “other people.” They can hit anyone—founders, celebrities, athletes. Dr. Cali Estes’ mission through Sober on Demand and The Addictions Academy is a reminder that recovery is possible, disruption is necessary, and the right mindset can turn the darkest moments into unlimited possibilities. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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