It has been quite some time since you heard last from Michelle and Joe, BUT this time is over. They get together to wrap up their 2023 and talk about planning for 2024.

In today’s episode, your hosts Jörn “Joe” Menninger and Michelle Tsing dive into a reflective and heartfelt conversation about their experiences over the past year. From Michelle’s adventures in various countries to Joe’s entrepreneurial challenges and personal setbacks, they share their highs and lows with authenticity and vulnerability. Join us as we discuss the importance of resilience, the impact of COVID-19, the power of technology, and the value of finding joy in the simple pleasures. Along the way, we’ll touch on topics such as AI, NFTs, blockchain, self-care, and the hope for a better world. So grab your favorite hot beverage and let’s unwind as we explore the lessons learned and the aspirations for the future. Happy Holidays from all of us at Starting Y!

1. How has Michelle’s travels and experiences with different cultures influenced her perspective on technology and its potential for improving lives?
2. In the face of challenges and setbacks, how has Joe managed to maintain focus and stay motivated in his startup journey?
3. What are some lessons that Joe has learned from fundraising for his startup idea? How has he adjusted his approach based on positive responses from investors?
4. How has the ongoing impact of COVID-19 affected the hosts, and what frustrations do they express regarding their country’s response to the pandemic?
5. What personal experiences related to COVID-19 do the hosts share, and how have these experiences highlighted the importance of education and preparedness in dealing with the virus?
6. How have the hosts found moments of joy and positivity amidst the difficulties of the past year? What specific experiences or encounters have stood out for them?
7. The hosts express gratitude for Uber drivers and the lessons they have learned from them. Can you share a memorable experience you’ve had with an Uber driver or a similar service?
8. How do the hosts discuss coping mechanisms for dealing with stress, and what techniques do they personally find helpful in finding relaxation and maintaining mental well-being?
9. The hosts reflect on their hopes and aspirations for the upcoming year. What are some of your own goals and desires for the future?
10. How do the hosts balance their professional lives with personal experiences and relationships? What lessons have they learned about prioritizing and making time for loved ones?

Daniel Alfon is undoubtedly an expert when it comes to LinkedIn. As one of the platform's very early users, having joined back in 2004, he has gotten 18 years of experience optimizing profiles, sales strategies, and more throughout his tenure. In a recent episode of Starting Y with Joe Menninger, Alfon gave Joe some tangible tips on re-designing his profile and showing him how to use LinkedIn as a sales tool. Known as "social selling," this can be a powerful way to make sales online when done effectively and efficiently - both things we learned from the conversation between Alfon and Menninger. The episode was full of helpful advice for those looking to take more control of their sales through their LinkedIn presence!

Hint: You get most of this episode if you have your LinkedIn profile in front of you.

Get Daniel’s book here: https://amzn.to/3lzYOar (AL)

Follow us on medium: https://medium.com/@startingy or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StartingY1

The Hosts:

Michelle, a radio, and podcast host based in Silicon Valley. She is a lawyer by training and has worked in and with many startups, especially fintech, and blockchain. Currently, she is working for several non-profit organizations and startups. Michelle is the host of the Stanford Radio Show "Laptop Radio (Wednesdays 2–4 PM)", which is also available as a podcast (https://linktr.ee/laptopradio). You can learn more about Michelle here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laptopradio/

Jörn is a podcaster, startup scout, and entrepreneur based in Frankfurt, Germany. He has more than 12 years of management consulting background, with a focus on financial services and capital markets and working as a startup scout. He hosts an English podcast covering the German startup scene (https://linktr.ee/startupradio). You can learn more about Jörn "Joe" here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joernmenninger/

Our Intro is based on Quantum Jazz’s piece “Orbiting a distant planet,” published under Creative Commons.

Our guest is best-selling author Brant Cooper, he made it to the New York Times Best Seller List. He co-wrote the Lean Entrepreneur (AL https://amzn.to/3ILKgxj) and more recently Disruption Proof (AL https://amzn.to/41batfM). He does not call himself an entrepreneur, but he is one. He is also a speaker and active in the startup community of San Diego. You can learn more about him here: https://brantcooper.com/ or follow him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brantcooper/ 

Together with him, we tackle questions like:

• How can I write down all subconscious assumptions?
•  How can I set up an assumption workshop to really catch all my assumptions?
• How to be lean in a small or large company?
• Why do large companies measure the wrong KPIs?

The Hosts:

• Michelle, a radio, and podcast host based in Silicon Valley. She is a lawyer by training and has worked in and with many startups, especially fintech, and blockchain. Currently, she is working for several non-profit organizations and startups. Michelle is the host of the Stanford Radio Show “Laptop Radio (Wednesdays 2–4 PM)”, which is also available as a podcast (https://linktr.ee/laptopradio). You can learn more about Michelle here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laptopradio/
• Jörn is a podcaster, startup scout, and entrepreneur based in Frankfurt, Germany. He has more than 12 years of management consulting background, with a focus on financial services and capital markets, as well as working as a startup scout. He hosts an English startup podcast, covering the German startup scene (https://linktr.ee/startupradio) You can learn more about Jörn “Joe” here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joernmenninger/

You can suggest questions here, use #startingy. Follow our hosts on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/StartingY1