Zero to Umm... Podcast
Breaking down each episode by guest, related topics and links, and where to watch.
Zero to Umm - Claude Silver - VaynerX
This was one of my favorite episodes and Claude instantly became one of my favorite people. Her energy, principles, and heart-centric approach to work is not only infectious but inspiring. Don't miss this episode, such an awesome conversation.
In this episode, Claude Silver, the Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, shares her inspiring journey and the secrets to building an extraordinary team.
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Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX (Chief People Officer/CHRO)
Explore the latest in modern marketing and creative solutions at VaynerX, a dynamic family of companies helping brands thrive in today's fast-paced world.
Meet Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, author, and mom. With a passion for spreading positivity and good vibes, Claude inspires others to be their authentic selves at work and in life.
Unlock the power of your authenticity in the workplace and discover how it can be your greatest professional strength.
Zero to Umm - Cristina Cordova - Linear
I had an awesome conversation with Cristina Cordova about her career path. She shared her experiences at Stripe, where she worked on building partnerships, and her time at Notion, focusing on platform development. Now at Linear, Cristina enjoys working in a company that values quality and sustainable growth, which fits her style perfectly.
Join Cristina Cordova as she takes you through her entrepreneurial journey, from Stripe to Notion to Linear. Discover the challenges she faced and lessons learned along the way.
Head of marketing, sales, operations, data and talent teams at Linear, leveraging her experience and education from Stanford University to drive growth and excellence.
COO at Linear. Previously Notion, Stripe. Investor/Advisor to early stage startups.
Linear streamlines issues, projects, and roadmaps. Purpose-built for modern product development.
Zero to Umm - Tara Viswanathan
In this conversation, Tara shares her entrepreneurial journey, detailing the influences that shaped her spirit, the challenges faced while building Rupa, and the lessons learned along the way.
Building @unltdindustries - prev: Founder & CEO @Rupa_Health (💰sold in '24), @stanford , TX raised, CA living 🤠🌊 sharing stuff I learn & want to remember 🙌
4,234 Followers, 2,908 Following, 501 Posts - tara (@taraviswanathan) on Instagram: "CEO & co-founder @rupa_health 🤠 This IG is just for close friends 🙏 Sharing with the 🌎 on X👇💥"
Summary In this conversation, Tara shares her entrepreneurial journey, detailing the influences that shaped her spirit, the challenges faced while building Rupa, and the lessons learned along the way. From early inspirations to the complexities of team dynamics and the emotional aftermath of selling her company, Tara emphasizes the importance of resilience, gut instinct, and the continuous pursuit of growth in both personal and professional realms.
Unlimited Industries transforms how critical infrastructure is engineered and delivered, accelerating a future of abundance with AI-powered, outcome-aligned execution.
Zero to Umm - Tony Clemendor
In this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing Tony Clemendor, who was not only my coach but also a fantastic mentor. As a fellow neurodivergent, Tony brings a unique perspective to entrepreneurship, sharing his journey from bootstrapping a startup to scaling it to $80 million in revenue.
Learn more about Founder Coach Tony Clemendor and how he helps Founders and CEOs accelerator their growth in spite of unique challenges that face high growth startups
In this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing Tony Clemendor, who was not only my coach but also a fantastic mentor. As a fellow neurodivergent, Tony brings a unique perspective to entrepreneurship, sharing his journey from bootstrapping a startup to scaling it to $80 million in revenue.
In this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing Tony Clemendor, who was not only my coach but also a fantastic mentor. As a fellow neurodivergent, Tony brings a unique perspective to entrepreneurship, sharing his journey from bootstrapping a startup to scaling it to $80 million in revenue.
Track record of helping Founders get customers & scale | Uncomplicating Startups | Multi-Exited Founder | Mentored/Coached 2k+ founders! Creator of the FORGE Startup Growth Framework | Join me at The Founders Forge!
Tony is a mentor and interim C-level executive. He uses his psych degree, corporate operations background, and startup experience to help founders thrive.
Zero to umm - Chris Cunningham
This episode is a goldmine for startup founders! 🚀 Chris Cunningham’s journey with ClickUp is a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and rapid execution.
Discover captivating LED neon signs blending timeless warmth with modern neon lights. Elevate any space with radiant elegance from Echo Neon.
Our mission is to make the world more productive. To do this, we built the everything app for work - Tasks, Docs, Goals, and Chat.
Follow Chris Cunningham, Head of Social Marketing and Founding Member of Clickup
Discover Chris Cunningham's inspiring startup journey from zero to ClickUp. In this episode, Chris shares his entrepreneurial path, highlighting challenges and successes. A must-listen for anyone interested in startup stories and growth. 🚀
Zero to Umm - Jesse Lakes
In this episode of our podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jesse Lakes, the co-founder of Geniuslink, a company that has made significant strides in the affiliate marketing space. Our conversation took us on a journey through Jesse's entrepreneurial beginnings, his experiences at Apple, and the evolution of Geniuslink.
Transform your links with Geniuslink, the intelligent URL shortener. Automatically direct users to their preferred destination, considering devices, OS, countries, and even click dates.
Meet Jesse Lakes, the Co-Founder and CEO of Geniuslink that empowers links for marketers selling online.
Jesse Lakes, co-founder of Geniuslink, to dive deep into the world of smart links, affiliate marketing, and global e-commerce. Jesse shares his journey from being a musician to building one of the most powerful link management platforms, helping content creators and businesses maximize their revenue and reach.
Zero to Umm - Erifili Gounari
Hey everyone! On this episode of "Zero to Umm...", I have a great conversation with Erifili Gounari, the founder of The Z Link. She shares her story of going from a social media-savvy Gen Z kid to an entrepreneur making waves in Gen Z marketing. We chat about how she started her agency with just £100 and how she’s grown it into a thriving business completely focused on authenticity and creativity.
Erifili's website - The Founder and CEO of The Z Link, a global Gen Z social media marketing agency, and the author of 'Design Your Life: Your Career, Your Way'.
The global Gen Z-led marketing agency, helping brands reach Gen Z. Strategy, content creation, social media, market research, influencer marketing, and more!
In this episode of "Zero to Umm...", host Kyle Hudson sits down with the inspiring young entrepreneur, Erifili Gounari.
"The global agency for Gen Z-focused marketing strategy, market research, and content production. 🌎 Helping brands like IKEA, Deloitte, Pepsi and more."
Zero to Umm - Andy Budd
Today, we have a riveting conversation with Andy Budd, a seasoned design leader and former founder who takes us through the exciting trajectory of his life. From learning HTML in a hostel in Singapore to pioneering one of the first UX agencies in the UK, Andy shares his insights on embracing self-reliance, breaking the mold, and the transformative power of design in building brilliant products.
We also delve into his experience with venture capital, where he helps other entrepreneurs navigate their journeys. Join host Kyle Hudson as he unpacks the elements of risk, curiosity, and problem-solving in entrepreneurship with Andy Budd, and discover how you can tap into the design world to inspire your own business journey.
Andy is a designer at heart, and firmly believes in the power of design to build loyalty, delight users, and create competitive advantage.
Investor, Advisor and Coach. Andy helps high growth startups, founders and design/product leaders achieve their potential
In Talking Roadmaps Episode 70, Phil Hornby interviews Andy Budd to explore whether roadmaps truly drive value. Andy, a designer-turned-investor, introduces the Growth Equation, a framework for startups to reach product-market fit. They discuss the role of roadmaps in balancing feature development with value extraction, the importance of growth teams, and the tensions between product and marketing. Andy challenges traditional roadmapping, advocating for problem-driven planning over feature lists. A must-watch for product leaders navigating growth strategy.
Andy Budd is a user experience consultant and expert in accessibility. He has written several books on UX and is the co-founder of cx Partners. His website features articles and resources on UI design, accessibility, and user experience.
Meet the people who have backed and supported 1,000+ founders to start and scale their businesses.
Zero to Umm - Marty and Will
Kyle, Marty, and Will discuss the inception and growth of Agree.com, a startup focused on revolutionizing the e-signature and payment process. They share their backgrounds, the challenges of fundraising, and the importance of collaboration in the startup ecosystem.
As a proud member of the Agree.com team, I can confidently say that being part of a great team is the best experience I've ever had. With a background in education from Columbia Business School and a strong network of over 500 connections, I'm excited to connect with like-minded professionals on LinkedIn, a community of over 1 billion members, to share knowledge, ideas, and opportunities.
Learn more about my experience as a professional at Agree.com, my education at University of California, Berkeley, and my connections in San Francisco. With 500+ connections on LinkedIn, I'm part of a community of 1 billion members!
Zero to Umm - Rick Jordan
In this episode of Zero to Umm, I had the pleasure of chatting with Rick, a seasoned entrepreneur with a fascinating journey. We kicked things off by discussing the essence of entrepreneurship—how sometimes you just have to dive in headfirst, even if it feels a bit daunting. Rick emphasized that real learning often comes from being thrown into the deep end, which I totally agree with.
ReachOut Technology, led by CIA-trained expert Rick Jordan, provides national IT and cybersecurity solutions that save clients millions annually through robust proactive and reactive strategies. Check out how ReachOut can fortify your business today.
Rick shares some fascinating insights about the changing landscape of education and how traditional degrees are becoming less relevant in fields like tech and cybersecurity. He emphasizes the importance of real-world experience over theoretical knowledge, drawing from his own experiences hiring talent and navigating the industry.
A high-achieving professional who tackles problems head-on and always pours his heart into his work. With a strong background in ReachOut Technology and a network of over 500 connections, Rick Jordan is making his mark in the Greater Chicago Area.
Zero to Umm - Vicki Reece
In this episode of our podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Vicki, the founder of Joy of Mom, a vibrant community dedicated to supporting mothers through the ups and downs of parenting. Our conversation delved into the evolution of her journey, from her early career in sales and advertising to her passion for creating a safe space for moms to connect and share their experiences.
In this episode of our podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Vicki, the founder of Joy of Mom, a vibrant community dedicated to supporting mothers through the ups and downs of parenting. Our conversation delved into the evolution of her journey, from her early career in sales and advertising to her passion for creating a safe space for moms to connect and share their experiences.
Coming Soon - A whole new Joy of Mom experience. Sign up to stay connected with updates.
Zero to Umm - Simon Holland
In this episode, Simon shares his unconventional journey as an entrepreneur, starting from his diverse upbringing in Peru, Australia, and Spain to launching multiple businesses. He discusses the challenges and learning experiences that shaped his approach to building companies, including his first venture, an app development service called Get Appy.
Founder at Vera | Previously co-founded Vivi and HotDoc
Vera is an AI-powered back-office admin that handles tasks and obligations for startups and SMBs. Because life’s too short for admin.
Simon dives into the early stages of his latest project, Vera, which aims to simplify administrative tasks for small and medium-sized businesses by organizing and sharing information more efficiently. He explains the importance of understanding customer needs and adapting to market demands, emphasizing that constraints can lead to innovative solutions.
Zero to Umm - Ben Huffman
Ben and I sit down to discuss the early days of Contra and the journey from an idea that was dismissed to the platform now used by over 1MM freelance experts.
Video version of Episode 08: Zero to Umm - Ben Huffman the Founder and CEO of Contra
With Contra, you can discover and hire top-notch talent, manage payments, contracts, and projects and work the way you want.

As the first-ever website experience platform, Webflow lets marketers, designers, and developers come together to build, manage, and optimize web experiences that get results.
Contra is a new professional network for your independent journey. Everything you need to find remote, freelance and flexible work from your own trusted network.
Zero to Umm - Maxine Cunningham
Maxine has quickly become one of my favorite people in the world and this episode was so much fun to make. We explore the themes of entrepreneurship, collaboration, and the evolving work culture.
Unlock the potential of your expertise! Pick My Brain connects you with people who want to learn from you, on your own terms. Set your rate, rules, and availability, and get paid for sharing your knowledge.
Meet Maxine Cunningham, Founder of Pick My Brain, driven by a mission to help others. With 500+ connections and a Bachelor's degree from Queen's University, Maxine is a prominent presence in the Greater Vancouver Metropolitan Area.

Meet Perry, a multifaceted individual also known as 'Dr. Octopus', who brings his passion for philanthropy, artistic expression, and non-linear thinking to the forefront.
Watch on Youtube - Maxine Cunningham, a charismatic entrepreneur, shares her inspiring story as the founder and CEO of Pick My Brain in this delightful episode.
Meet Maxine on Pick My Brain! Setup time to chat, introduce yourself, and find out how you can monetize your knowledge.
Zero to Umm - Alex Lotier
In this conversation, Kyle Hudson and Alex Lotier discuss the journey of building Culture Kicks from its inception to its current success.
Learn the secrets behind Alex Lotier's success. In this inspiring episode, Alex delves into the mindset shifts, untold stories, and key strategies that led to his achievements, sharing valuable insights for anyone seeking to elevate their own success.
Indulge in the world of prestige with Culture Kicks, where exceptional design and uncompromising quality meet. Our exclusive sneakers bridge fashion and art, crafted for those who demand the best. Join the culture of high-end footwear and elevate your style with our curated collection.
culturekicks on July 2, 2023: "Private Access to ALL the Sneakers We Buy ⁉️⁉️⁉️ Exclusive Sneaker + PS5 Giveaways 👀🎁 Direct Communication to Culture through our Private Discord... Available to TIKTOK Subs Only, at only $5.99 Month. 🤯 Link In Bio 🔗🔗🔗".
Zero to Umm - Vin Infante
In this conversation, Kyle Hudson and Vin Infante explore the journey from traditional employment to entrepreneurship, discussing the challenges and uncertainties that come with it.
Mental Performance Coach, Transformational Speaker, Licensed Psychotherapist & Former FDNY Firefighter
Discover the transformative power of positive psychology, neurolinguistics, and personal growth strategies. As a certified life and executive coach, Vincent Infante empowers individuals to achieve their goals and overcome obstacles.
In this conversation, Kyle Hudson and Vin Infante explore the journey from traditional employment to entrepreneurship, discussing the challenges and uncertainties that come with it. They delve into the importance of building confidence, the roles of coaches, mentors, and therapists in personal and professional growth, and the interconnectedness of emotional and business challenges.
20K Followers, 847 Following, 516 Posts - Vincent Infante (@vin.infante) on Instagram: "Psychotherapist, Mental Performance Coach & Speaker Mission = Impact 1 Billion Lives. Ft in: Forbes, Entrepreneur, NY Weekly, IBT, USA Today."
Vin's X Profile - Licensed Psychotherapist, Mental Performance Coach, Keynote Speaker - On a Mission to impact 1 Billion Lives. Here to support your personal development Journey.
Zero to Umm - Perry "Dr. Octopus" Knoppert
In this episode I sit down with Perry "Dr. Octopus" Knoppert who shares his journey from homelessness to self-discovery, emphasizing the importance of nonlinear thinking and the power of asking for help.
Founder @ The Octopus Movement & 📱TellTOM | Non-linear thinking advocate | Philanthropist | Artist | Octovist
A global coalition of nonlinear thinkers working together to create positive change around the world. At the Octopus Movement, we bring together nonlinear thinkers from around the globe to tackle complex challenges and ignite transformative change. Through think tanks, creative collaborations, and groundbreaking initiatives, we explore new ways of thinking, connecting, and solving problems. Our diverse community—spanning artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and visionaries—embraces the beauty of human complexity to design innovative solutions that impact individuals, organizations, and societies. We believe in the power of uniting diverse perspectives, leveraging creativity, and fostering meaningful connections to inspire a more inclusive and imaginative world.
Join us on a journey of self-discovery, knowledge, and community as we explore topics such as personal growth, philosophy, and spirituality. Subscribe to our channel for new videos!
In this episode I sit down with Perry "Dr. Octopus" Knoppert who shares his journey from homelessness to self-discovery, emphasizing the importance of nonlinear thinking and the power of asking for help.
Meet Dr. Octopus, a philanthropist, artist, and nonlinear thinker sharing his fascinating insights on Pick My Brain.
Zero to Umm - Teja Yenamandra
Meet Teja, the Founder and CEO of Gun.io
Co-Founder & CEO at Gun.io | Working on the future of work
Website for Gun.io. Verified software talent and smart tools to accelerate your tech initatives.
Teja and Kyle discuss the early days of building a startup and the mindset required to be successful. They talk about the challenges of starting a business with limited resources and the need to be scrappy and resourceful. Teja shares his experience of burning through savings and taking on personal debt to fund the business.
Zero to Umm - Will Taylor
Dive into this conversation with Kyle Hudson and Will Taylor on "Zero to Umm..." where they chat about Will's journey from a physicist in a creative family to launching startups.
Will's Company - Workflow: Elevate your creative workflow with a simple, AI-powered collaboration platform. Streamline tasks, receive actionable feedback, and share progress with your team, all in one place.
Get ready for some raw insights as Will reveals his experiences with a CV writing service, on-demand dry cleaning, and solving logistics with tech-driven solutions. They talk about the ups and downs of risk-taking, the grind of starting from scratch, and why failure is just another chapter in the entrepreneurial story.
Meet Will Taylor, a designer and engineer who founded Workflow, a company accelerating the world's pace. With experience at Workflow and education from the University of Oxford, Will has a strong foundation for his work. Based in London, he has over 500 connections on LinkedIn and is part of a professional community of 1 billion members.