Joseph Doyle breaks down how AI is changing recruiting and tech hiring, and what to optimize for when resumes and applications are getting noisier. You will learn how to improve candidate experience, screen for growth mindset, and design a hiring process that actually predicts performance.

Episode Description AI recruiting is moving fast, but most interview processes have not caught up. In this episode, Joseph Doyle shares what he is seeing in the market and how hiring teams can adapt without lowering the bar or burning candidates out.

We talk about building a sharper value proposition for engineers, why candidates are now asking deeper questions about your AI strategy, and how to hire for first principles and growth mindset instead of a narrow checklist. We also get into candidate experience as a competitive advantage, including how to use exercises responsibly, how to timebox take home work, and why emotional intelligence matters even more as AI increases volume.

If you are a founder, operator, or investor hiring technical talent, this is a practical look at what works now, and what is quietly costing teams great hires.

We cover: • How to use AI for efficiency without losing the human edge • What a credible value proposition looks like for engineers today • How to screen for growth mindset and first principles • How to tighten your interview process while improving candidate experience • When take home assignments help, and how to timebox them • Why EQ is a real hiring filter in high pressure environments

Who this is for: Founders, operators, and hiring leaders who want a higher signal hiring process in an AI driven talent market.

Links and Resources Spotify: https://bit.ly/spotify-itsm Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/apple-itsm Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/amazon-itsm Website: https://insidethesiliconmind.com/ Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inside-the-silicon-mind/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidethesiliconmind/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@insidethesiliconmind X: https://x.com/InSiliconMind

Mentioned in This Episode • Raving Fans • Lou Adler • Coding assistants in the IDE • AppDynamics

About the Show Inside the Silicon Mind is your masterclass in high stakes innovation, business strategy, and the Silicon Valley mindset. Hosted by Firas Sozan, we interview Founders, CEOs, and Venture Capitalists shaping the future of technology.

In this episode of Inside the Silicon Mind, Arvind Sodhani, former President of Intel Capital, shares insights from decades at the center of Silicon Valley venture capital and global technology innovation. Arvind discusses how Intel Capital helped fuel entrepreneurship, how investors assess risk, and what it takes to build companies that last.

He explores the mindset of successful founders, the importance of strong startup teams, and the lessons learned from some of the world’s most impactful entrepreneurs. Arvind also dives into how AI is reshaping future business models and what that means for founders building in today’s market.

Throughout the conversation, Arvind offers practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating Silicon Valley, emphasizing long-term thinking, leadership, and innovation in an ever-evolving tech landscape.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Embracing Fearless Entrepreneurship

04:49 Understanding Risk in Innovation

09:52 The Founder's Mindset and Team Dynamics

15:06 The Birth of Intel Capital

19:48 Navigating Market Changes and Cloud Investments

25:01 The AI Revolution: Opportunities and Challenges

29:58 The Future of Inference Models

34:45 Lessons from Successful Founders

39:53 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

44:46 The Impact of Silicon Valley on Innovation

Book Recommendations:

Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, by Joseph A. Schumpeter

Follow Arvind on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/arvind-sodhani-4774b011b/

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Inside The Silicon Mind

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Podcast Links:

Spotify: https://bit.ly/spotify-itsm

Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/apple-itsm

Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/amazon-itsm

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LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/inside-the-silicon-mind

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Website Links:

https://insidethesiliconmind.com/

https://www.harrisonclarke.com/

https://www.harrisonclarkeventures.com/

https://www.ceranalabs.com/

https://thepmfplaybook.com/

In this episode of Inside the Silicon Mind, Justin Fitzhugh, former VP of Engineering at Snowflake, shares an inside look at what it takes to lead engineering teams through hypergrowth at one of the most successful data companies of the decade. Justin reflects on Snowflake’s explosive rise, the hard lessons from Instart Logic, and why great companies win by staying relentlessly focused on customer needs, product excellence, and scalable engineering.

Justin breaks down the cultural principles that helped Snowflake grow fast without breaking, the crucial role of security in a rapidly expanding organization, and what engineering leaders must prioritize when building teams at scale. He also dives into the realities of remote work, the importance of direct communication, and the challenges of maintaining alignment as companies grow.

The conversation explores why Silicon Valley remains a uniquely powerful ecosystem for innovation, the rapid success of Wiz, and how AI is transforming the startup landscape and reshaping what technical leadership looks like today. Justin closes by sharing the book that has most influenced his leadership style, offering actionable advice for founders and engineering leaders navigating today’s fast-moving tech world.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Navigating Valuations and Investor Relationships

03:00 Lessons from IPOs and Market Dynamics

06:04 Understanding Customer Needs and Product Fit

09:12 The Importance of Leadership and Direct Communication

18:00 Building Trust and Cohesion in Leadership

20:33 Cultural Shifts and Team Dynamics

22:48 The Unique Advantage of Silicon Valley

23:25 The Importance of In-Person Collaboration

26:35 The Role of Social Interactions in Engineering

28:26 The Impact of AI on Startup Growth

30:50 Customer-Centric Approach to Product Development

32:41 Work-Life Balance and Personal Well-Being

36:28 Passions Outside of Work and Personal Growth

37:18 Key Takeaways from Leadership Literature

Book Recommendation:

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, by Patrick Lencioni

Follow Justin on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinfitzhugh/

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Inside The Silicon Mind

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Podcast Links:

Spotify: https://bit.ly/spotify-itsm

Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/apple-itsm

Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/amazon-itsm

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LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/inside-the-silicon-mind

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Website Links:

https://insidethesiliconmind.com/

https://www.harrisonclarke.com/

https://www.harrisonclarkeventures.com/

https://www.ceranalabs.com/

https://thepmfplaybook.com/

In this episode of Inside the Silicon Mind, Gidi Cohen, CEO of BonFy.ai and seasoned cybersecurity leader, unpacks how AI is reshaping trust, risk, and security in a world where threats are increasingly invisible.

Drawing from his deep military background, Gidi explains why mission-driven leadership, courage, and conviction are more critical than ever as founders face unprecedented complexity. He breaks down the emerging risks of AI - hallucinations, data leakage, compliance failures - and why security must be designed into every layer of technology from day one.

This conversation explores how to balance customer empathy with ambitious engineering, what credibility really looks like in the age of AI, and the rapidly expanding market for AI-native security solutions.

Gidi also dives into the psychology of modern leadership: why founders must think bigger, move faster, and build with trust at the center - or risk becoming irrelevant in an AI-driven world.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Introduction to Gidi Cohen and BonFy.ai

03:04 The Mindset of Tackling Big Problems

05:47 The Role of Military Background in Entrepreneurship

09:11 Balancing Optimism and Paranoia in Startups

12:00 The Importance of Focus in Startup Growth

15:05 Challenges in the Cybersecurity Industry

18:13 Listening to Customers vs. Innovating Solutions

21:04 BonFy's Approach to Data Security

23:56 Use Cases and Real-World Applications of BonFy

27:05 Ensuring Customer Trust with BonFy

29:16 Security by Design: Building Trust in Technology

35:08 Navigating the AI Landscape: Emerging Risks and Solutions

41:07 The Future of Data Security: Trust and Adoption

46:28 The Dual Nature of AI: Opportunities and Threats

51:06 Leadership Lessons from History: Churchill's Influence

Book Recommendation:

Churchill's Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, by Giles Milton

Follow Gidi on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gidicohen/

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Inside The Silicon Mind

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Podcast Links:

Spotify: https://bit.ly/spotify-itsm

Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/apple-itsm

Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/amazon-itsm

Social Links:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/inside-the-silicon-mind

Instagram: https://instagram.com/insidethesiliconmind

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X: https://x.com/InSiliconMind

Website Links:

https://insidethesiliconmind.com/

https://www.harrisonclarke.com/

https://www.harrisonclarkeventures.com/

https://www.ceranalabs.com/

https://thepmfplaybook.com/

In this episode, Varun Badhwar, a seasoned entrepreneur in cybersecurity, shares his insights on building successful companies, the dynamics of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and the impact of AI on the industry. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on creating great products and companies rather than merely aiming for acquisition.

Varun discusses the lessons learned from his experiences in M&A, the misconceptions founders have about the process, and the significance of integrity in leadership. He also explores the evolving landscape of software development in the age of AI and the challenges founders face today.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 The Journey of a Cybersecurity Entrepreneur

04:55 Building for Greatness, Not Acquisition

09:58 Understanding M&A Dynamics

14:46 The Reality of Acquisitions

19:51 Navigating the Post-Acquisition Landscape

24:59 The Future of AI and Market Disruption

27:21 The Integration Ecosystem and Market Displacement

28:19 AI Opportunities in Software Development

32:00 Endor Labs: Revolutionizing Software Assembly

37:06 Building a Generational Company

38:58 Lessons for First-Time Founders

43:57 Challenges of Time Management for Founders

46:36 Navigating Market Challenges in AI

49:38 The Future of Security in Software Development

Book Recommendations: The Hard Thing About Hard Things, by Ben Horowitz

Follow Varun on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vbadhwar/

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Inside The Silicon Mind

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Podcast Links:

Spotify: https://bit.ly/spotify-itsm

Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/apple-itsm

Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/amazon-itsm

Social Links:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/inside-the-silicon-mind

Instagram: https://instagram.com/insidethesiliconmind

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@insidethesiliconmind

X: https://x.com/InSiliconMind

Website Links:

https://insidethesiliconmind.com/

https://www.harrisonclarke.com/

https://www.harrisonclarkeventures.com/

https://www.ceranalabs.com/

https://thepmfplaybook.com/

In this episode of Inside the Silicon Mind, David Hornik, Founder of Lobby Capital and long-time venture capitalist, pulls back the curtain on what truly drives great investing - relationships, empathy, and trust.

From the creation of The Lobby gathering to building Lobby Capital, David shares how the most successful investors don’t just fund companies - they build enduring partnerships. He discusses how the AI boom is reshaping venture capital, why sustainable competitive advantage matters more than hype, and what red flags he watches for in early-stage founders.

This conversation goes beyond term sheets - exploring the human side of venture, the art of listening, and what it takes to build a career (and community) grounded in genuine curiosity and care.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 The Essence of Venture Capital

03:00 David Hornik's Journey to Venture Capital

05:52 The Lobby: Building Connections

08:40 The Role of a VC Beyond Funding

12:05 Legal Background: A Unique Advantage

14:44 Understanding Founder-VC Dynamics

18:03 The Shift in Market Dynamics

20:44 AI's Impact on Venture Capital

23:48 Challenges for New Founders in AI

27:30 The Evolution of a CEO

28:37 The Importance of Problem-Solving

30:29 Identifying the Right Founders

32:25 Red Flags in Funding

33:43 Convincing LPs to Invest

35:44 The Significance of Deal Flow

37:57 Navigating the Series A Challenge

40:03 Balancing Empathy in Decision-Making

43:05 Building Long-Term Relationships

47:27 The Love for the Venture Industry

48:40 Recommended Reads for Founders

Book Recommendations:

Give and Take, by Adam Grant

The Biggest Bluff, by Maria Konnikova

Follow David on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhornik/

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Inside The Silicon Mind

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Podcast Links:

Spotify: https://bit.ly/spotify-itsm

Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/apple-itsm

Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/amazon-itsm

Social Links:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/inside-the-silicon-mind

Instagram: https://instagram.com/insidethesiliconmind

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@insidethesiliconmind

X: https://x.com/InSiliconMind

Website Links:

https://insidethesiliconmind.com/

https://www.harrisonclarke.com/

https://www.harrisonclarkeventures.com/

https://www.ceranalabs.com/

https://thepmfplaybook.com/

In this episode of Inside the Silicon Mind, Rob Bearden, Co-founder and CEO of Sema4.ai, shares how AI is transforming the very rhythm of company-building. He explains why speed, trust, and people remain the ultimate differentiators - even as AI agents begin automating knowledge work at scale.

Rob unpacks the evolution of enterprise AI adoption, the barriers that slow transformation, and why resilient teams and data-driven governance are critical to long-term success. The conversation explores how AI is reshaping global productivity, wealth creation, and the role of software engineers in this new era - along with the unique resilience that continues to define the Silicon Valley ecosystem.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 The Importance of People in Business

01:11 Navigating the AI Shift

05:44 Speed and Competition in AI Development

10:36 Transformational Outcomes in Tech Delivery

14:14 Comparing Past and Present Company Building

18:10 Semaphore.ai: Building Purpose-Built Agents

22:57 The Role of Agents in Knowledge Work

25:12 The Future of Agents in Business

27:01 Trusting AI Agents

30:29 The Impact of Automation on Jobs

36:34 The Evolving Role of Software Engineers

41:01 Lessons from Past Ventures

49:19 Building Resilient Teams and Leadership

52:20 The Evolution of AI Adoption in Enterprises

56:23 Understanding the J-Curve of AI Investment Returns

01:01:22 The Pressure for AI Strategy in Enterprises

01:05:10 Overcoming Barriers to AI Adoption

01:08:39 Data Security and Governance in AI

01:14:47 The Future of AI: From Intelligence to Superintelligence

01:16:06 The Impact of AI on Global GDP and Wealth Creation

01:22:10 Trust and Innovation in Startups

01:29:21 The Silicon Valley Ecosystem and Its Resilience

Book Recommendations:

The Rational Optimist, by Matt Ridley

Follow Rob on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-bearden-10049a369/

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Inside The Silicon Mind

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Podcast Links:

Spotify: https://bit.ly/spotify-itsm

Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/apple-itsm

Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/amazon-itsm

Social Links:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/inside-the-silicon-mind

Instagram: https://instagram.com/insidethesiliconmind

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@insidethesiliconmind

X: https://x.com/InSiliconMind

Website Links:

https://insidethesiliconmind.com/

https://www.harrisonclarke.com/

https://www.harrisonclarkeventures.com/

https://www.ceranalabs.com/

https://thepmfplaybook.com/

In this episode of Inside the Silicon Mind, Ross Lazerowitz, Co-founder and CEO of Mirage Security, explores how AI is reshaping cybersecurity, identity, and trust. From deepfakes to social engineering, Ross reveals how attackers are weaponizing generative AI - and what it will take to defend against the next wave of deception.

He also opens up about the emotional realities of founder life: navigating fundraising pressure, managing uncertainty, and staying grounded in a saturated market. The conversation dives into founder-market fit, first-principles engineering, and how to build credibility and trust in a fast-moving tech landscape.

It’s a candid look at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship, and what it means to lead with conviction in an era where reality itself can be faked.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 The Journey of Entrepreneurship

05:34 AI and Social Engineering Threats

10:44 The Role of Identity Verification in Cybersecurity

17:43 The Emotional Toll of Fundraising

22:38 Timing and Market Saturation in Startups

24:40 Building Trust in Cybersecurity

27:06 Founder-Market Fit and Product Validation

30:32 Navigating Fundraising Challenges

32:16 AI's Impact on Hiring and Engineering

34:30 Understanding First Principles in Engineering

39:10 The Debate on Remote vs. In-Person Work

40:19 Addressing the Deepfake Challenge

43:12 The Future of AI and Its Societal Implications

45:20 Maintaining Wellbeing as a Founder

47:09 Recommended Reads for Founders

Book Recommendations:

Let's Get Real or Let's Not Play, by Mahan Khalsa

Follow Ross on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosslazer

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Inside The Silicon Mind

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Podcast Links:

Spotify: https://bit.ly/spotify-itsm

Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/apple-itsm

Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/amazon-itsm

Social Links:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/inside-the-silicon-mind

Instagram: https://instagram.com/insidethesiliconmind

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@insidethesiliconmind

X: https://x.com/InSiliconMind

Website Links:

https://insidethesiliconmind.com/

https://www.harrisonclarke.com/

https://www.harrisonclarkeventures.com/

https://www.ceranalabs.com/

https://thepmfplaybook.com/