Guests：Kaitan Sun & Joshua Zheng [Founders of EpicTopia]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitan-sun/ & https://www.linkedin.com/in/zgh/

Today, we're joined by Kaitan Sun and Joshua Zheng, the founders of EpicTopia, a transformative platform that blends life journey tracking with AI-generated insights, revolutionizing personal growth. Kaitan and Joshua recognized the struggle many face in translating aspirations into concrete action. That's where EpicTopia comes in! It's not just another journaling app – it's your personalized AI guide to help you discover the "why" behind your goals and craft a plan to bring them to life. We'll deep dive their pivot from a social sharing platform to an AI-powered personal development tool. We'll uncover the key features and their brainstorm process that set EpicTopia apart. We'll also gain valuable insights from their experiences as founders right at the center of Silicon Valley.

Host: Lei Zhao

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leizhaostone/
• Twitter: twitter.com/LeiZhao_
• Email: questionlabpodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: SyncMind - your personal AI-powered leadership coach designed to empower you with self-awareness.

• Sign Up Link: https://forms.gle/PnpJR157jbTDr2RZA
• Help Define Product: https://app.lyssna.com/do/4508e7dd20a7/876d

Timestamps

• Introduction (0:00 - 1:34)
• SyncMind (1:34-2:19)
• Podcast Overview (1:50-end, generated by NotebookLM & verified by human)

Other Platforms: @QuestionLabPodcast

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@QuestionLabPodcast
• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/question-lab-podcast/id1705440304
• Spotify：https://open.spotify.com/show/0P2Xy7XERp0qczWw16DbbS?si=sb8dm7HFS5OQpc43SL7uZw

Link to Original Podcast (in Mandarin):

• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/创业当中如何转型-在硅谷这座创业大学-和katian-joshua-founders-of/id1705440304?i=1000677963138
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pDriTH1GLBLN4dLW8Fyho?si=9hhm4Jz0QJyvE_pKr5PTsg

Guest: Tony Shan [Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, Father, Ex-VP of Finance]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyshan05/

Today, I’m thrilled to welcome Tony Shan, the former VP of Finance at Urban Electronic Co. and previously a Principal at @CPE, CITIC Private Equity. But today, we’re diving into a role far more significant than his corporate titles: the role of a father. In this episode, we’ll begin with Tony’s journey from China to Stanford’s Graduate School of Business and discuss how that experience led him to a deeper understanding of himself. We’ll then explore the reflections and inner growth he’s experienced while raising his children, and how his relationship with them has reshaped his relationship with himself. Finally, we’ll discuss the importance of individuality in a world rapidly advancing toward artificial general intelligence (AGI). If you enjoy today’s episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, and leave us a review! We love hearing from you, and we read every comment.

Host: Lei Zhao

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leizhaostone/
• Twitter: twitter.com/LeiZhao_
• Email: questionlabpodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: SyncMind - your personal AI-powered leadership coach designed to empower you with self-awareness.

• Sign Up Link: https://forms.gle/PnpJR157jbTDr2RZA
• Help Define Product: https://app.lyssna.com/do/4508e7dd20a7/876d

Timestamps

• Introduction (0:00 - 1:00)
• SyncMind (1:00-1:45)
• Podcast Overview (1:45-end, generated by NotebookLM & verified by human)

Other Platforms

• Apple Podcast: @QuestionLabPodcast
• Spotify：@QuestionLabPodcast

Link to Original Podcast (in Mandarin):

• Spotify: 斯坦福商学院最重要的课是竟然是教你如何自我认知？在AGI即将到来的时代，什么才是每一个人类的护城河？和Tony Shan[斯坦福商学院GSB，父亲，Ex-VP of Finance] 聊一期关于个体性，亲子关系，和他在斯坦福商学院遇到的文化冲击。

Material Mentioned in Podcast:

1. Managing Oneself https://a.co/d/dNUkIIU
2. On Becoming a Leader https://a.co/d/hY6bqWU
3. I and Thou https://a.co/d/35l5zf7

Transcript: https://dus3lacuo7vi.larksuite.com/minutes/obusxlzoxa44jo7q33v2fpqa?from=from_copylink

Guest: David Zhou [Head of Perception at Cyngn (Nasdaq: CYN) & CMU]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/xunda-david-zhou/

Today I will bring you David Zhou, who has fast-tracked his career from grad school at Carnegie Mellon University to becoming the Head of Perception at Cyngn, a Nasdaq-listed company, all in just six years. Cyngn, initially focused on self-driving technology on outdoor geofench application, made a bold pivot to autonomous solutions for industrial material handling in response to the market during pandemic. Throughout this entire transformation, David has led the perception team from the ground up. In this episode, we explore David’s journey at Cyngn, from recruiting top talent to managing a high-performing team that’s pushing the boundaries of autonomous technology. You’ll also hear about his insights on leadership, team dynamics, and personal growth, while playing a pivotal role in Cyngn. Stay tuned as we unpack the fascinating career of David Zhou and his experiences in a rapidly evolving industry. If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and don’t forget to leave a comment! We love hearing from you, and we read every single one.

Host: Lei Zhao

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leizhaostone/
• Twitter: twitter.com/LeiZhao_

Sponsor: SyncMind - your personal AI-powered leadership coach designed to empower you with self-awareness.

• Sign Up Link: https://forms.gle/PnpJR157jbTDr2RZA
• Help Define Product: https://app.lyssna.com/do/4508e7dd20a7/876d

Timestamps

• Introduction (0:00 - 1:05)
• SyncMind (1:05-1:50)
• Podcast Overview (1:50-end, generated by NotebookLM & verified by human)

Other Platforms

• Apple Podcast: @QuestionLabPodcast
• Spotify：@QuestionLabPodcast
• Xiaoyuzhou: @QuestionLabPodcast

Link to Original Podcast (in Mandarin):

• Apple Podcast: 为什么团队有“明星”成员，还远远不够？仅仅6年，如何从研究生到感知团队负责人？和David Zhou [Head of Perception at Cyngn (Nasdaq: CYN)]，从技术看团队。
• Spotify: 为什么团队有“明星”成员，还远远不够？仅仅6年，如何从研究生到感知团队负责人？和David Zhou [Head of Perception at Cyngn (Nasdaq: CYN)]，从技术看团队。

嘉宾：David Zhou [Head of Perception at Cyngn (Nasdaq: CYN) & CMU]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/xunda-david-zhou/

今天我们请来了David，他从卡内基梅隆大学的研究生，一路快速晋升，仅仅用了六年时间就成为了上市公司Cyngn (sin-gin)的感知部门负责人。Cyngn最初专注于户外geofench应用的自动驾驶技术例如园区，矿区等。但在疫情期间果断转向了工业物料处理的自动化解决方案，快速适应了市场需求。在这整个转型过程中，David有着少有的从零组建感知团队的经验，一步步走到今天。在本期节目中，我们将聊聊他如何招募顶尖人才，管理一支高效团队，推动自动化技术的边界。你还会听到他关于领导力、团队协作和个人成长的见解。如果你喜欢本期节目，不要忘了在Apple Podcasts，Spotify，小宇宙或其他播客平台上面订阅我们，同时别忘了留下评论！我们非常乐意听到你的反馈，而且每条评论我们都会仔细阅读。

主持：Lei Zhao

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leizhaostone/
• Twitter: twitter.com/LeiZhao_

Sponsor: SyncMind 一款帮助你提升自我觉察的领导力AI教练平台

• Help Define Product: https://app.lyssna.com/do/4508e7dd20a7/876d

本期时间戳

• 1:34 公司简介
• 3:39 感知团队的建立
• 5:36 明星员工特质探讨
• 8:40 面试技巧与人才识别
• 11:40 团队建设三要素
• 16:55 关键软技能解析
• 19:41 招聘经验分享
• 26:32 团队层级建设
• 30:36 领导者的自我意识
• 32:37 提升自我意识的方法
• 35:32 导师的价值

Other Platforms 其他平台

• Apple Podcast: @QuestionLabPodcast
• Spotify：@QuestionLabPodcast
• Xiaoyuzhou: @QuestionLabPodcast

Guest: Maggie Yan

maggie@sky9athena.com

Today, we’re excited to have Maggie Yan with us, the Chief Marketing Officer of Sky9 Build. Sky9 Build is a venture studio focusing on AI startups expanding globally, and they specialize in investing in and incubating talented entrepreneurs, helping them achieve product-market fit. Before this, Maggie was the VP of AI Business and Growth at Xmind, a popular mind-mapping and brainstorming software that has thrived for 18 years without any external funding, amassing over 100 million users worldwide. In this episode, Maggie dives into the key differences between growth strategies for productivity tools and non-productivity tools, while also exploring the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI into non-productivity solutions. She highlights the importance of reassessing traditional growth metrics, with a special focus on the value of early paying users. Maggie also shares her approach to attracting both core and ‘lottery’ users through a dual strategy, and offers insights into how Xmind achieved massive success without any outside investment.

Host: Lei Zhao

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leizhaostone/
• Twitter: twitter.com/LeiZhao_

Sponsor: SyncMind - your personal AI-powered leadership coach designed to empower you with self-awareness.

• Sign Up Link: https://forms.gle/PnpJR157jbTDr2RZA

Timestamps

• Introduction (0:00 - 1:15)
• SyncMind (1:15-1:59)
• Podcast Overview (1:59-end, generated by NotebookLM & verified by human)

Other Platforms

• Apple Podcast: @QuestionLabPodcast
• Spotify：@QuestionLabPodcast
• Xiaoyuzhou: @QuestionLabPodcast

Link to Original Podcast (in Mandarin):

• Apple Podcast: 消费级AI产品新范式？AI如何和非效率工具产生火花？18年0融资，如何做到过亿用户？和Maggie严格 (Sky9Build的CMO，Xmind) 聊聊GTM in AI Era。
• Spotify: 消费级AI产品新范式？AI如何和非效率工具产生火花？18年0融资，如何做到过亿用户？和Maggie严格 (Sky9Build的CMO，Xmind) 聊聊GTM in AI Era。

嘉宾：Maggie 严格

• 邮箱：maggie@sky9athena.com
• 今天我们邀请到的嘉宾是严格 Maggie Sky9 build the chief marketing officer。 Sky9 build 是基于 venture studio 模式，关注出海 AI 项目与孵化潜力创业者的投资加创业团队帮助项目找到 product market fit。Maggie 之前是Xmind VP 负责 AI 业务和增长商业化。Xmind 是一款流行的思维导图和头脑风暴软件，做了18年零融资，全球拥有过亿用户。在我们今天这集播课当中， Maggie 讨论了效率工具与非效率工具的增长策略区别，并深入探讨了将 AI 应用于非效率工具的潜力和挑战。她强调了重新评估传统增长策略指标的重要性，尤其是优先考虑早期付费用户的价值。 Maggie 还分享了她如何通过双管齐下的策略获取核心用户和彩票用户，并介绍了Xmind 0 融资成功的经验。

主持：Lei Zhao 赵磊

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leizhaostone/
• Twitter: twitter.com/LeiZhao_

SyncMind: 一款帮助你提升自我觉察的领导力AI教练平台

• Sync Mind Sign Up Link: https://forms.gle/PnpJR157jbTDr2RZA

本期时间戳

• 介绍 (0:00 - 0:41)
• 效率工具 vs. 非效率工具 (0:41 - 7:17)
• 聚焦于AI中的非效率工具 (7:17 - 13:03)
• AI时代的产品市场契合度 (13:03 - 18:01)
• AI中的增长指标转变 (18:01 - 25:54)
• 寻找并利用早期采用者 (25:54 - 30:38)
• 核心用户 vs. “彩票用户” (30:38 - 33:56)
• Xmind案例研究：从自力更生到成功 (33:56 - 43:59)
• 自力更生 vs. 风险投资：找到合适的路径 (43:59 - 49:59)
• 自我意识在创业中的重要性 (49:59 - 1:10:26)
• 个人成长与适应变化 (1:10:26 - 1:23:18)
• 总结与号召行动 (1:23:18 - 结束)

Other Platform

• YouTube: @QuestionLabPodcast
• Apple Podcast: @QuestionLabPodcast
• Xiaoyuzhou: @QuestionLabPodcast
• Ximalaya: @QuestionLabPodcast