TBPN
Podcast

TBPN

by John Coogan & Jordi Hays

526 episodes

Technology's daily show (formerly the Technology Brothers Podcast). Streaming live on X and YouTube from 11 - 2 PM PST Monday - Friday. Available on X, Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
Ask about TBPNAnswers are grounded in this source's posts from the last 30 days.

Recent Posts

526 posts
Big Tech Earnings, Red vs. Blue Button, Quantum Computing | Jason Yanowitz, Even Rogers, Maria Spiropulu, Stepan Simkin, Kashish Gupta, Dan Magy, Vlad Tenev, Parag Agrawal & Andrew Reed, Gabriel Stengel

Investors should prioritize Meta (META) for immediate AI-driven returns, as their advanced ad-targeting algorithms are already translating into higher revenue per ad and improved profit margins. Microsoft (MSFT) remains the primary play for enterprise AI, but investors must monitor Azure growth and the stability of the OpenAI partnership to justify its massive capital expenditures. Amazon (AMZN) is a high-conviction infrastructure play, with its $100 billion advertising business providing a cash flow safety net as AWS scales to meet massive compute demand. Google (GOOGL) offers the most integrated AI ecosystem, making it a "buy and hold" as it integrates Gemini into Search and Android to maintain its distribution dominance. For those seeking fintech growth, Robinhood (HOOD) is successfully pivoting from a trading app to a full-service financial platform through its Gold Card expansion and new custodial accounts.

In-Car Surveillance is Coming | Diet TBPN

Investors should consider purchasing 2026 model year vehicles as "analog" assets, as they are likely to command a price premium in the secondary market before federal mandates require intrusive driver-monitoring and lockout technology. For technology exposure, focus on Adobe and specialized VFX firms that integrate AI into existing post-production workflows rather than speculative AI movie studios. In the automotive tech space, prioritize companies developing Level 4/5 Autonomous systems, as these platforms are best positioned to manage impairment detection through self-driving overrides. To navigate current market volatility, study the fiscal policy and inflation outlooks of macro trader Paul Tudor Jones, whose strategies often signal large-scale capital shifts. Finally, monitor real-time legal reporting on Tesla and Elon Musk to manage the high volatility associated with ongoing federal oversight and litigation.

In-Car Surveillance, Goblin-Mode, Jon Gray from Blackstone Joins | Colleen Aubrey, Anthony Liguori, Colin Zima, Alex Epstein, Shira Lazar, Anshul Gupta, Apurva Shrivastava, Bubble Boi

Investors should prioritize the AI infrastructure "picks and shovels" by targeting energy and power generation companies, as Blackstone (BX) pivots heavily toward the electrical grid and data center utilities. In the semiconductor space, look for high-conviction opportunities in High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and Flash storage providers like Micron (MU) to address critical AI data bottlenecks. Intel (INTC) represents a strategic turnaround play due to its leadership in advanced packaging, a sector currently dominated by NVIDIA (NVDA) and TSMC (TSM). For long-term enterprise growth, Amazon (AMZN) is a top pick as AWS transitions from simple chatbots to "Agentic Teammates" that automate complex B2B workflows with high reliability. Finally, consider a "vintage" play by acquiring 2024–2026 vehicle models before 2027 federal mandates require intrusive passive alcohol sensors and driver surveillance technology.

China Blocks Meta’s $2B Manus Deal, Meta Bets on Space-Based Solar | Diet TBPN

Investors should monitor Meta Platforms (META) closely as the forced unwinding of its Manus acquisition highlights significant geopolitical risks to its Chinese advertising revenue. To hedge against data center power bottlenecks, consider long-term exposure to the energy sector, specifically Space-Based Solar and long-duration battery storage providers like Noon Energy. Microsoft (MSFT) investors should note that OpenAI is now cloud-agnostic, which serves as a strategic tailwind for Amazon (AMZN) and Google (GOOGL) as they compete for AI inference workloads. Poland is emerging as a high-conviction regional play, currently outperforming the United Kingdom in GDP growth and attracting significant tech talent. For semiconductor investors, the focus is shifting from model development to "inference capacity," favoring companies like NVIDIA (NVDA) that provide the massive hardware scale required to run AI agents at volume.

China Blocks Manus Sale, Rick Caruso in the Ultradome, Zak Brown from McLaren Joins | Will Hurd, Anush Elangovan, Augustus Doricko

Investors should look to AMD as it utilizes "agentic AI" and open-source software to rapidly close the competitive gap with NVIDIA, making it a high-conviction play for automated performance optimization. While Meta Platforms (META) faces geopolitical headwinds in AI acquisitions, its aggressive pivot toward space-based solar and long-duration battery storage positions the company as a leader in solving AI's massive energy constraints. In the private markets, Icon is a prime target for disruption in the construction sector, having secured a $201 million military contract and achieving costs below the national average for 3D-printed housing. Rainmaker offers a unique climate-tech opportunity by providing weather modification services to the ski industry and governments, with plans to expand into desalination by 2027. For real estate exposure, focus on "experience-based" retail in business-friendly hubs like Nashville, Austin, and Florida, where safety and high barriers to entry are driving significant rental premiums.

Intel Rips, Thrive Launches Eternal, GPT 5.5 | Diet TBPN

Investors should consider Intel (INTC) as a primary play on the shift toward AI inference and "agentic" workloads, which require a significantly higher ratio of CPUs to GPUs than traditional AI training. Intel also serves as a critical national security hedge and a long-term Foundry play, especially as it positions itself to manufacture for major domestic partners like Elon Musk. Within the broader AI infrastructure, the hardware supply chain remains at maximum capacity, suggesting continued margin strength for NVIDIA (NVDA) and its manufacturing partner TSMC (TSM). Monitor the rapid growth in enterprise AI spending, which is projected to reach $100 billion by year-end, benefiting cloud providers and high-tier model developers like Microsoft (MSFT) and Oracle (ORCL). For private market exposure, look toward "vibe coding" tools like Cursor and permanent capital vehicles like Thrive Capital that focus on long-term ownership of high-growth tech and iconic cultural assets.

Gary Vee Says the Smartest Investors Are Going Analog

Investors should prioritize "AI-proof" physical assets by targeting live event venues, sports franchises like the San Francisco Giants or New York Mets, and experiential entertainment hubs like The Sphere (SPHR). High conviction is placed on alternative sports leagues with high growth potential, specifically Pickleball, Sailing, and Paddle, which offer community-driven value that digital platforms cannot replicate. Monitor the rapid expansion of live social commerce on TikTok Shop and Meta (META), as the U.S. market begins to mirror China’s trillion-dollar shift toward interactive video shopping. Look for companies that are reallocating at least 20% of their marketing budgets away from traditional ads and into organic social content to capture "mid-funnel" consumer attention. Finally, consider "analog" consumer trends by investing in the resurgence of physical media like Vinyl and hyper-local retail spaces that serve as community "third places."

Intel Rips, Cursor's Plan, Thrive's Giant Bet, GPT 5.5 | George Kurtz, Professor Sendy, Gary Vaynerchuk, Yoland Yan, Ben Horwitz

Investors should consider Intel (INTC) as a primary beneficiary of the "inference" boom, as the shift toward AI agents is expected to significantly increase the CPU-to-GPU ratio in data centers. Intel also serves as a critical national security play for domestic chip manufacturing through massive vertical integration projects like TerraFab. In the cybersecurity sector, CrowdStrike (CRWD) remains a high-conviction pick as AI-driven hacking and "shadow AI" risks turn endpoint security into a mandatory corporate board priority. For those seeking high-growth alternatives, SoftBank (SFTBY) offers indirect exposure to the AI infrastructure surge through its high-performing stake in ARM Holdings. Finally, look to "AI-resistant" analog assets like live sports franchises and physical entertainment, which are gaining premium value as digital content becomes increasingly commoditized.

Thoma Bravo Loses Medallia, OpenAI Drops ChatGPT 5.5, Bob Iger Returns | Diet TBPN

Investors should exercise caution with highly-leveraged SaaS companies like Medallia and Qualtrics, as they face disruption from AI-native startups and rising interest costs. Intel (INTC) is showing momentum in the data center space with Q2 revenue guidance of $13.8B–$14.8B, though its high 100x P/E ratio suggests significant volatility if growth slows. Tesla (TSLA) remains a hold for those focused on fundamentals, as the company beat Q1 earnings expectations while management shifts toward a more realistic, cautious tone on timelines. Meta (META) continues to be a strong play for margin expansion, as its 10% workforce reduction signals a pivot toward high-priority AI projects and increased profitability. For long-term growth, prioritize the "Agent" Era by investing in AI companies that automate complex workflows and provide cybersecurity to prevent "distillation" IP theft.

Meet the New Thiel Fellows, GPT 5.5, Thoma Bravo Loses Medallia | Victor Boyd, Alex Shieh, Nick Dobroshinsky, Ishan Gupta, Antoni Kiszka, Milan Lustig, Galen Mead, Aubrey Niederhoffer, Samuel Carvalho, Claire Wang

Investors should consider Intel (INTC) as a potential turnaround play following a strong earnings beat and Q2 guidance that significantly exceeded Wall Street estimates. The release of GPT 5.5 signals a major shift toward "agentic" AI workflows, creating opportunities in companies that automate complex tasks like Juicebox for recruiting or Anti-Fraud Company for government oversight. Be cautious with highly leveraged, non-founder-led software firms like Medallia, as high interest rates and AI-native competitors like Aru continue to threaten legacy SaaS business models. Tesla (TSLA) remains a core holding after beating revenue expectations, though investors should note that SpaceX is now trending toward a higher valuation than the automaker. For those looking at emerging markets, Brazil offers a compelling macro thesis due to its strong renewable energy infrastructure and B2B wholesale growth through startups like Praso.

SpaceX-Cursor Deal, ChatGPT Images 2.0, Fake Bear Scam | Diet TBPN

Accredited investors should look to secondary markets for SpaceX and Anthropic, as both are emerging as dominant AI infrastructure powerhouses with potential paths toward trillion-dollar valuations. The strategic partnership between SpaceX and Cursor (AnySphere) signals a massive shift toward "agentic coding," making Cursor a high-conviction play for enterprise AI adoption. Investors should anticipate a "clean sequence" merger of Elon Musk’s entities (xAI, X, and SpaceX), creating a vertically integrated ecosystem that uses massive compute power as its primary currency. Be cautious of traditional creative services and stock photography, as OpenAI’s latest image generation tools are rapidly demonetizing high-end commercial visuals. For long-term growth, monitor the "Space-as-Infrastructure" theme, specifically companies developing orbital data centers to bypass Earth-based power and regulatory constraints.

SpaceX/Cursor Deal, Images 2.0 Reactions, Fake Bear Attack | Anil Chakravarthy, Naveen Gavini, Avlok Kohli & Ankur Nagpal, Joel Edwards, Renen Hallak, Darian Shirazi

Retail investors can now gain diversified exposure to high-growth private AI leaders like SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic through the USVC fund, which features a low $500 minimum investment. Adobe (ADBE) remains a high-conviction play in the creative sector, supported by a massive $25 billion stock buyback and its strategic acquisition of SEMrush to dominate AI-driven marketing. For those tracking the AI infrastructure boom, Vast Data and Zanskar represent critical "middle-layer" opportunities in data management and geothermal energy to solve the AI power bottleneck. SpaceX is positioning itself as a vertically integrated AI powerhouse through its potential $60 billion acquisition of Cursor, leveraging its "Colossus" supercomputer to challenge Microsoft and Google. Investors should remain cautious of traditional SaaS companies like Salesforce (CRM), as AI-driven coding reduces software moats and threatens long-term profit margins.

Apple’s New CEO John Ternus, Ferrari’s First EV | Diet TBPN

Investors should view the Apple (AAPL) CEO transition to John Ternus on September 1st as a stability play, as the move is already priced into the stock with no immediate volatility expected. With a hardware expert at the helm, focus on Apple's ability to develop proprietary AI models to replace Google Gemini and reduce reliance on third-party software. Ferrari (RACE) is entering the ultra-luxury EV market with a $650,000 model, a high-margin strategy that serves as a gateway for collectors to access future limited-edition releases. Monitor Ferrari closely for potential brand dilution or high depreciation risks as they pivot away from traditional internal combustion engines. For broader tech exposure, prioritize companies like Google (GOOGL) that maintain superior AI infrastructure and talent moats over firms struggling with hardware-centric legacy issues.

Tim Cook Retires, Mark Gurman Joins, Images 2.0 | Howie Liu, Scott Stevenson, Alex Wiltschko, Spiros Xanthos, Carolina Aguilar, Jake Jurewicz

Investors should view the leadership transition at Apple (AAPL) as a stability signal, with new CEO John Ternus likely to drive a hardware-led growth cycle featuring foldable iPhones and smart home robotics by 2026. For those tracking the AI sector, OpenAI’s launch of Images 2.0 marks a shift toward high-utility tools for marketing and design, while Airtable’s move into long-running AI agents makes it a resilient private enterprise play. The energy demands of AI data centers are creating a massive opportunity in nuclear energy, specifically through companies like Blue Energy that use prefabricated construction to lower costs. In the luxury market, Ferrari (RACE) is positioning its upcoming $650,000 EV as a strategic status symbol to maintain its exclusive collector ecosystem. Finally, when evaluating private software startups, prioritize "Live ARR" over "CARR" to ensure you are investing in actual cash flow rather than non-binding future contracts.

Marc Benioff vs. Verizon CEO Dan Schulman on AI, Blue Origin’s Latest Flight | Diet TBPN

Salesforce (CRM) presents a potential value entry point following a 28% year-to-date decline, especially as revenue growth re-accelerates and the company pivots toward autonomous AI with the launch of Agent Albert by year-end. For a more defensive play, Verizon (VZ) offers an infrastructure-backed "oligopoly" moat and has outperformed high-growth tech with a 15% gain this year while aggressively cutting costs. Investors should view the "SaaSpocalypse" narrative with skepticism, as high-conviction names like Snowflake (SNOW), Cloudflare (NET), and Monday.com (MNDY) continue to report robust growth between 25% and 34%. Sphere Entertainment Co. (SPHR) remains a high-momentum play in immersive tech; watch for announcements of new global locations as a primary catalyst for further upside. While AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) remains a retail favorite, recent satellite launch failures highlight significant execution risks, making it a high-volatility trade that requires careful position sizing.

Verizon vs Salesforce, Blue Origin's Test, Robot Marathon | Signüll, Ethan Ding, Matt McKinney, Errik Anderson, Pippa Lamb & James Wise

Investors should consider Verizon (VZ) as a defensive infrastructure play, as its ownership of physical spectrum and cell towers protects it from software-related AI disruption while the company aggressively cuts $9 billion in costs. For a high-growth physical asset, The Sphere (SPHR) has outperformed major tech stocks by 442% over the last year and offers a unique global expansion thesis for "proprietary stadium technology." While Salesforce (CRM) is down 28% year-to-date, it represents a contrarian opportunity if its new Agent Force and upcoming Agent Albert platforms successfully pivot the business from "per-seat" pricing to autonomous AI value. High-risk investors may find a buying opportunity in AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) following a 16% dip caused by a satellite launch failure, as the loss is expected to be covered by insurance. Finally, watch the Tech Bio sector for acquisition activity, as "Big Pharma" is currently sitting on record cash reserves to buy AI-driven drug development firms.

Jensen on Dwarkesh, Cursor x XAI, Netflix Stock Sinks | Diet TBPN

Investors should monitor NVIDIA (NVDA) closely for margin compression as "Hyperscalers" like Microsoft and Meta transition to proprietary chips like TPUs and Trainium to bypass high costs. While NVDA remains the market leader, its recent stagnant price action suggests a shift in value toward Intel (INTC), which serves as a strategic geopolitical hedge for domestic chip manufacturing. The recent 8.5% dip in Netflix (NFLX) following Reed Hastings' board departure presents a "buy the dip" opportunity, as the company’s disciplined content spending signals a transition to a highly profitable, mature tech play. In the broader AI sector, the focus is shifting from raw hardware to "AI Agents" and software ecosystems, favoring companies like Apple that integrate these tools directly into operating systems. For long-term exposure to the "American tech stack," Intel (INTC) remains the primary beneficiary of efforts to diversify the global supply chain away from TSMC.

Kevin Hart live on TBPN

Kevin Hart live on TBPN

Podcast23 min 20 sec

Investors should prioritize Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands that utilize a "Disruptor + Incumbent" model, pairing nimble creator-led marketing with the massive distribution power of established giants like Becle (Jose Cuervo). Focus on high-conviction "Owner-Operator" plays where celebrities like Kevin Hart or Kim Kardashian (Skims) hold significant equity and daily operational roles rather than simple endorsement deals. Within the spirits sector, look for brands achieving triple-digit growth like Grand Coramino, which leverages the Beckmann family global supply chain to overcome the industry's complex three-tier distribution hurdles. Monitor the migration of advertising capital away from traditional TV toward creator-led platforms and OpenAI integrations, as these "authentic" channels now drive the highest consumer engagement. Avoid "noisy" celebrity tequila startups that lack a unique "liquid story" or a physical presence in retail, as the market enters a period of heavy consolidation.

Jensen on Dwarkesh, Cursor + xAI, Codex Update | Kevin Hart & James Morrissey, Ben Smith, Jonathan Criss, Paul Scherer, Matan Grinberg, Akhil Voorakkara, Charlie Cheever, Victor Cardenas Codriansky, Theodor Marcu

Investors should monitor Alphabet (GOOGL) for a potential $100 billion valuation boost driven by its 5% stake in SpaceX as the aerospace giant nears a $2 trillion valuation. While NVIDIA (NVDA) remains dominant, watch for margin compression as AI coding agents make it easier for developers to switch to cheaper hardware alternatives like AMD or Google’s TPU. Intel (INTC) is emerging as a high-conviction recovery play, benefiting from national security interests and the push for American-made chip foundries. Netflix (NFLX) remains a strong long-term hold as it transitions into a high-margin, cash-flow-positive business, despite short-term volatility following Reed Hastings' departure from the board. For those looking at private markets or specialized tech, Ulysses and Factory represent high-growth opportunities in autonomous robotics and AI-driven software engineering.

Allbirds’ AI Pivot, Snap Cuts 16% of Workforce, Amazon’s GlobalStar Deal | Diet TBPN

Investors should monitor Snap Inc. (SNAP) as it pivots toward "profitable growth" by cutting 16% of its workforce to save $500 million annually, a move likely to improve net income margins by late 2024. Amazon (AMZN) is positioning itself as a major competitor to SpaceX by pursuing an $11 billion deal with Globalstar (GSAT), making GSAT a high-conviction play for those betting on the long-term "satellite-to-cell" infrastructure boom. While Allbirds (BIRD) is rebranding to New Bird AI to provide GPU-as-a-Service, this remains a highly speculative "meme" trade with significant execution risks and regulatory hurdles. For broader exposure to the space sector, watch for volatility in AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) as it faces increased competition from Amazon’s massive capital injection into the satellite market. The overarching theme for 2024 is a shift toward "efficiency" where companies use AI integration to justify leaner operations and higher profitability.