Keyana Corliss and Becky Buckman welcome guest Alex Konrad, Senior Editor at Forbes, to Just Checking In. The group opens the conversation with a discussion of IPOs, AI and the state of the tech markets before Alex shares the work that went into writing his recent story on Garry Tan and Y Combinator. It begs asking what stories “pop” in an online market and how journalists grab the attention of readers.

Alex weighs in on why adversity commands headlines which is part of a response to the noise and apathy surrounding journalistic articles and stories. There is a struggle to find what will compel readers and what unique or controversial facts will combat the ennui of hearing only success stories. Beyond print media decline and attention-grabbing headlines, Becky and Keyana really want a glimpse into 2024’s Midas List, but Alex keeps things close to his chest while giving just enough way to spark discussion and address questions surrounding the process.

“... there's an old adage, right? Your success is not my story. That's something true. You know, there's a reason that founders, even when they go direct and kind of talk directly to mass audiences when they're showing vulnerability or talking about struggles they had or being really controversial, unfortunately, that's what resonates.” Alex Konrad

Join technology comms pros Becky Buckman and Keyana Corliss as they cut to the heart of today’s tech-news cycle and the general craziness that is high-tech corporate communications right now. With a short, not-too-serious take on the industry - with plenty of humor and irony thrown in - they’ll bring you the best in the biz, across comms and media together, for one-of-a-kind insights and perspectives you won’t hear anywhere else!

About Alex Konrad:

Alex is a senior editor at Forbes covering venture capital and startups, especially in cloud and AI, out of New York. He edits the Midas List and Under 30 for VC, and created the Midas List Europe and Cloud 100 lists. He’s written more than a dozen cover stories on business leaders including Marc Benioff, Patrick Collison and Melanie Perkins. Previously, he worked at Fortune and WNYC, and studied medieval history and archaeology at Harvard University.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• “Inside y Combinator’s ‘Boom Loop’: The Startup Factory Goes Brasher, Leaner And Meaner” by Alex Konrad
• VCs Congratulating Themselves on X
• TrueBridge
• The Midas List: 2023
• Bret Taylor and Clay Bavor of Sierra
• Sean Mendy

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Contact Rebecca Buckman and Keyana Corliss:

• Rebecca on LinkedIn
• Rebecca on X
• Keyana on Linkedin
• Keyana on X

Contact Alex Konrad:

• Website: