Short summary

Most AI demos stop when something appears on screen. This one starts there.

Dalton Anderson uses OpenAI Codex to turn fictional customer feedback into a working dashboard, then critiques the first output, steers the redesign, and explains the system around reliable agent work: Plan as the map, Goal as the contract, skills as reusable procedures, and evaluations plus stop conditions for agentic loops.

A practical episode for founders, operators, and builders who want better results from Codex without giving up judgment.

### Mobile-first show notes

Most AI demos stop when something appears on screen. This one starts there.

Dalton gives Codex a fictional customer-feedback dataset and asks for a decision-ready dashboard. The first output works, but it is not good enough. That becomes the real lesson.

This episode shows how to move from a one-shot prompt to a workflow you can inspect, steer, and verify.

You will learn:

- Why Plan is the map and Goal is the contract

- The four parts of a strong goal: outcome, context, constraints, and done-when evidence

- When a repeatable workflow should become a skill

- How clear names keep a growing skill library usable

- Why every agentic loop needs an evaluation and a hard stop

- Where human judgment still matters

The demonstration uses fictional data. No outreach is sent.

## Official OpenAI resources

- [Codex use cases](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases)

- [Build skills](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/build-skills)

- [Build plugins](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/build-plugins)

- [Subagents](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/agent-configuration/subagents)

- [AGENTS.md](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/agent-configuration/agents-md)

- [Follow a goal](https://learn.chatgpt.com/use-cases/follow-goals)

- [Scheduled tasks](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/automations)

- [Git worktrees](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/environments/git-worktrees)

- [OpenAI Codex repository](https://github.com/openai/codex)

- [OpenAI Plugins repository](https://github.com/openai/plugins)

Note: the older [openai/skills repository](https://github.com/openai/skills) is deprecated and now directs readers to OpenAI Plugins.

## Skill repositories worth exploring

- [Anthropic Skills](https://github.com/anthropics/skills): official Claude skill examples and templates

- [Superpowers](https://github.com/obra/superpowers): a cross-agent software development workflow and skill collection

- [Microsoft Skills](https://github.com/microsoft/skills): skills and custom agents for Microsoft developer workflows

- [Microsoft Learn Agent Skills](https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/Agent-Skills): Microsoft and Azure skills grounded in Learn documentation

- [Gemini CLI](https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli): Google's open-source coding agent with Agent Skills support

- [Gemini CLI Agent Skills guide](https://geminicli.com/docs/cli/using-agent-skills/)

- [Agent Skills specification](https://github.com/agentskills/agentskills): the open format behind portable skills

- [Vercel Skills](https://github.com/vercel-labs/skills): a cross-agent CLI for discovering, installing, and sharing skills

Install selectively. Read a skill before trusting it, understand the tools and permissions it can use, and test it on bounded work first.

## Chapters

00:00 Why this episode exists

01:45 Turning fictional feedback into a dashboard

02:29 Commands, context, compact, goals, and Plan

04:16 What the first plan is doing

07:05 Steering the build with butter yellow

09:03 Reviewing the first dashboard

10:37 Plan is the map, Goal drives the work

15:54 An honest review of the redesign

17:23 Building a Goal and the four-part prompt formula

21:08 Commands, skills, and reusable workflows

24:57 Naming skills so they stay usable

26:34 Broad threads and focused projects

28:27 A simple context-and-constraints analogy

30:52 Keeping agentic loops safe

32:21 Closing

Discover how innovative entrepreneurs like Josh leverage AI and automation tools to streamline business operations, enhance product development, and boost growth. This episode reveals practical insights into using AI for marketing, product testing, and managing multiple ventures efficiently. Discover how AI tools like Claude and Grok are revolutionizing entrepreneurship, PPC management, and digital marketing. Josh Sprague shares practical insights on leveraging AI for business efficiency, product research, and content creation, all while contemplating the future of AI and society.

keywords

AI, entrepreneurship, business automation, product development, marketing, Orange Mud, Seven Clay, Claude, venture capital, innovation AI, entrepreneurship, Claude, Grok, PPC management, digital marketing, Josh Sprague, Orange Mud, Sevenclay, AI tools, business efficiency

key topics

Building a passion-based brand from scratch

Using AI to streamline marketing and analytics

Product testing and iteration in endurance sports gear

Managing multiple businesses with automation

The importance of customer feedback in product development AI's impact on entrepreneurship and business efficiency

Using Claude and Grok for PPC and product research

The evolution of digital marketing with AI

Future societal implications of AI and quantum computing

Practical tips for leveraging AI tools in business

sound bites

"Customer feedback is the best way to improve products."

"AI opens up efficiency and opportunity."

"AI will dig into your entire ecosystem and fix problems."

chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

01:49 The Origin of Orange Mud

04:52 Building a Passion Brand from Personal Frustration

07:59 The Challenges of Product Development and Testing

12:45 Endurance Sports and Product Testing Insights

19:47 Using AI and Automation in Business

29:58 Managing Multiple Ventures with AI Tools

40:10 The Future of Innovation and Business Efficiency

resources

Orange Mud - Endurance Gear - https://orangemud.com/

Claude AI - Language Model - https://www.anthropic.com/claude

Venture Step Website - https://www.daltonanderson.net/venture-step/

Claude AI - https://www.anthropic.com/claude

Grok AI - https://grok.ai/

Orange Mud - https://orangemud.com

Seven Clay - https://sevenclay.com

Josh Sprague - https://linkedin.com/in/josh-sprague

learn more

https://www.daltonanderson.net/venture-step/

Explore the innovative belt-and-pulley system by Rise Robotics with CEO Hiten Sonpal. This technology revolutionizes linear actuation, replacing traditional hydraulics and screw systems. Learn about its applications in heavy machinery and defense, its environmental benefits, and insights into crowdfunding and investor engagement.

keywords

Rise Robotics, belt and pulley system, linear actuator, hydraulics replacement, screw actuator, heavy machinery, defense technology, crowdfunding, climate tech, automation

key topics

Beltrolic technology as a new form of linear actuation

Limitations of hydraulics and screw actuators

Applications in heavy machinery, defense, and oil & gas

Environmental benefits and energy efficiency

Crowdfunding and investor engagement strategies

sound bites

"We are three times as energy efficient."

"Regenerative braking for actuators."

"Crowdfunding raised over $5.8 million."

chapters

00:00 Introduction to RISE Robotics and Actuator Technology

06:21 The Evolution of Actuator Systems

11:01 Automation and the Future of Heavy Machinery

15:41 Identifying the Ideal Customer Base

20:18 Applications in Oil and Gas and Beyond

24:36 Revolutionizing Munitions Handling with Super Jammer

27:42 Understanding Six Axis Systems and Their Applications

29:24 Efficiency and Safety in Military Operations

29:41 The Weight and Design of the Super Jammer

30:03 Achieving a Guinness World Record

32:05 The Power of Hydraulic Technology

33:57 Crowdfunding: Engaging Investors and Customers

39:21 Leveraging Investor Feedback for Growth

resources

Rise Robotics Website - https://riserobotics.com

Wefunder Crowdfunding Campaign - https://wefunder.com/riserobotics

Guinness World Record for Strongest Robotic Arm - https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/strength/strongest-robotic-arm

Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) - SEC - https://www.sec.gov/spotlight/regulation-crowdfunding

Hiten Sonpal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiten-sonpal/

learn more

https://www.daltonanderson.net/venture-step/

Ben Gilman, founder of Future Proof, discusses innovative solutions to the insurance industry's challenges with catastrophic risks, leveraging AI, geospatial data, and home hardening techniques to reduce risk and improve market stability.

keywords

insurance, catastrophic risk, AI, home hardening, climate change, risk mitigation, Future Proof, real estate, disaster preparedness

key topics

Insurance industry challenges with catastrophic risks

Use of AI and geospatial data for risk assessment

Home hardening techniques and remediation

Climate change impact on property values and insurance

Public-private partnerships for risk mitigation

sound bites

"Remediation costs between $20,000 and $40,000 per home."

"Houses built on unstable land are a ticking time bomb."

"Knowledge is power in risk assessment and mitigation."

Chapters

00:00 The Broken Insurance Model

02:11 Understanding Catastrophic Risks

05:12 The Interconnectedness of Real Estate and Insurance

08:21 Building Codes and Construction Practices

11:12 Innovative Solutions for Risk Mitigation

13:59 The Role of AI in Home Risk Assessment

17:10 Educating Homeowners on Risk Management

20:08 Future Proof: A Comprehensive Approach

23:12 The Economic Implications of Home Hardening

26:11 The Future of Real Estate in Risk Zones

35:48 Understanding Containable Disasters

36:52 The Importance of Integration in Home Safety

37:38 Cost Implications of Home Repairs

39:59 The Role of Professionals in Home Maintenance

41:42 The Complexity of Home Insurance and Risk

44:02 Public-Private Partnerships in Disaster Preparedness

46:03 Bridging the Gap Between Homeowners and Insurers

49:31 Behavioral Insights on Homeowner Risk Perception

51:58 Innovative Solutions for Home Safety

53:52 The Emotional Dynamics of Insurance Claims

55:20 The Future of Home Insurance and AI

59:44 Building Trust in the Insurance Process

01:02:10 The Need for Transparency in Insurance

01:07:00 Preparing for Future Housing Challenges

resources

Future Proof - https://futureproof.org

RS Means - https://www.rsmeans.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-gilliland-third/

Venture Step

https://www.daltonanderson.net/venture-step/

Keywords

Founder Readiness, AI, Leadership Capacity, Coachability, Venture Capital, Diversity, Hiring Transparency, Personal Growth, Investor Relationships, AI in Hiring

Summary

In this episode of the VentureStep podcast, Dalton Anderson speaks with Logan Yonavjak, co-founder and CEO of the Founder Readiness Institute. They discuss the innovative use of AI to evaluate founder soft skills and leadership capacity, aiming to reduce bias in venture capital and improve investment decisions. The conversation explores the importance of coachability, emotional resilience, and the need for diversity in funding. They also touch on the significance of transparency in hiring processes and how AI can enhance decision-making in leadership roles.

Takeaways

The current venture capital model accepts a 90% fail rate.

AI can illuminate an individual's capacity to lead under pressure.

Coachability is a critical component of leadership evaluation.

65% of startups fail due to people problems.

Diversity in funding is crucial for better outcomes.

40% of corporate hires do not work out, highlighting the need for better evaluation.

Transparency in hiring processes can improve decision-making.

AI can help structure people decisions more effectively.

Understanding personal growth through assessments is vital for leaders.

Navigating investor relationships requires thorough evaluation of potential partners.

Titles

Revolutionizing Founder Evaluation with AI

The Human Element in Venture Capital

sound bites

"This adds structure to people decisions"

"How do we handle all of this?"

"AI is a complexity skill"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Founder Readiness and AI

03:00 Evaluating Leadership Capacity Under Pressure

06:09 The Role of Coachability in Leadership

09:01 Bias in Venture Capital and Founder Evaluation

11:58 Diversity in Funding and Decision-Making

15:08 The Importance of Transparency in Hiring

18:12 Using AI for Leadership Assessment

20:54 Navigating VC Relationships and Expectations

23:46 The Future of Hiring and AI Integration

Summary

In this episode of the Venture Step podcast, host Dalton Anderson welcomes Derek Hales, founder of Nap Lab, to discuss the intricacies of mattress reviews and the journey of building a transparent product testing platform. Derek shares his personal experience of mattress shopping, which sparked his interest in creating a resource that provides objective data for consumers. He recounts how his initial project, Sleep Populous, evolved into Nap Lab, where he now tests and reviews mattresses with a focus on data-driven insights. The conversation delves into the challenges of navigating the mattress industry, the importance of transparency in reviews, and the methodologies used in testing products to ensure consumers make informed decisions.

Derek emphasizes the need for consumers to be skeptical of reviews, especially those that may be sponsored or lack transparency. He discusses the innovative testing methods he employs, such as using a medicine ball to measure sinkage, which provides clear and understandable results for consumers. The episode concludes with Derek's vision for Nap Lab, aiming to create the ultimate mattress resource that empowers consumers with the knowledge they need to make confident purchases. This insightful discussion not only highlights the complexities of the mattress market but also offers valuable takeaways for anyone looking to make informed buying decisions in the realm of sleep products.

Keywords

mattress reviews, Nap Lab, product testing, transparency, consumer insights, sleep products, Derek Hales, entrepreneurship, data-driven testing, mattress industry

Takeaways

"The inspiration really kind of began in 2014 when my wife and I got married."

"I want to make the most data-driven, quantifiable mattress resource possible on the internet."

"Sometimes a simpler approach is just as good and sometimes better."

"If you can't explain what you're doing to a child, you don't really understand what you're doing."

"Consumers should have the same information to know what's in that product."

Sound Bites

""We ended up taking a chance on an online bed...""

""We just got this thing sort of up and running...""

""Be skeptical of other reviews that you see out there.""

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nap Lab and Derek Hales

02:02 The Inspiration Behind Nap Lab

06:36 The Journey from Garage to Lab

12:51 Testing Methodologies and Innovations

18:55 Understanding Mattress Scores and Recommendations

25:37 Future Vision for Nap Lab

31:05 Identifying Red Flags in Mattress Reviews

36:29 How to Connect with Nap Lab

Learn More

https://naplab.com/

https://naplab.com/mattress-quiz/

https://naplab.com/about/derek-hales/

Venture Step

https://www.daltonanderson.net/venture-step/

Keywords

confrontation, conversation, professional relationships, connection, resistance, difficult people, empathy, communication

Summary

In this episode, Dalton Anderson tackles the challenge of dealing with "difficult" people, arguing that confrontation is best resolved by transforming it into a conversation. He explains that people are rarely difficult without a reason, as being difficult costs energy and is uncomfortable. The key, he suggests, is to build a genuine personal connection, which allows you to pull someone aside and understand the true reason for their resistance—be it fear, misinformation, or hidden constraints.

Takeaways

• 
  

  People are rarely difficult for no reason; being confrontational requires energy and effort.

• The best way to solve confrontation is to have a conversation.

• To have a successful conversation, you must first build a genuine personal connection with the other person.

• Genuinely connecting with colleagues allows you to understand their perspective and remove ego from the situation.

• It's your job to uncover why someone is being resistant, whether it's fear of change, lack of information, or past experiences.

• If you are incorrect, admit it immediately and respectfully; this builds trust.

• Before confronting someone, you better be sure you are correct, similar to how HR already knows the answer before asking a question.

• There is almost always something blocking the "easy path" (the path of least resistance); find out what it is.

  
  

  Sound bites

• 
  

  "We label them as difficult, but people are really difficult for no reason."

• "Instead of being confrontational, be conversational."

• "HR doesn't ask you questions unless they already know the answer, by the way."

• "People typically take the path of least resistance."

• "Why is there this flag in the ground and they're just standing on it?"

  "Pull them aside and say this is the new way, get on board or find a job. That's confrontational."

  
  

  Chapters

  
  

• 00:00 Introduction: The Problem with "Difficult" People

• 01:29 Episode 90 Announcement & Podcast Updates

• 03:55 The Core Thesis: Be Conversational, Not Confrontational

• 04:15 The Power of a Genuine Personal Connection

• 06:25 The Importance of Admitting When You're Wrong

• 08:24 People Aren't Difficult for No Reason

• 09:20 Uncovering the Root Cause of Resistance

• 11:15 Building Informal, Effective Professional Relationships

• 13:20 Why Are They Blocking the Easy Path?

• 15:47 Example 1: The Unresponsive Stakeholder

• 17:53 Example 2: The Resistant Salesperson (Fear of Change)

• 20:15 Example 3: The Nitpicking Client

• 21:30 Final Summary & Wrap-up

  
  

Keywords

AI, entrepreneurship, real estate, job displacement, innovation, commercial real estate, data accessibility, industry disruption, technology adoption, future of work

Summary

In this episode of the Midget Step Podcast, Dalton Anderson and Luke Tatman discuss the transformative impact of AI on various industries, particularly real estate and insurance. They explore the risks to jobs posed by AI adoption, the potential for innovation, and the changing landscape of commercial real estate. The conversation highlights the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset in adapting to these changes and the evolving role of data accessibility in decision-making processes. As AI continues to disrupt traditional business models, the hosts emphasize the need for individuals and companies to embrace new technologies and strategies to remain competitive.

Takeaways

AI has the potential to level the playing field in various industries.

Jobs at risk due to AI adoption are not limited to entry-level positions.

AI can serve as a catalyst for innovation, enabling faster and cheaper product development.

The traditional value proposition in real estate is being challenged by AI's data accessibility.

Commercial real estate is undergoing significant transformation due to AI.

The middle market in various industries may shrink as larger firms adopt AI.

Relationships will always play a crucial role in business, despite AI advancements.

AI tools are making data more accessible to smaller firms.

An entrepreneurial mindset is essential for individuals in at-risk jobs.

The current era presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to leverage AI.

Sound bites

"Jobs at risk due to AI adoption."

"AI is a catalyst for innovation."

"The value proposition stays the same."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI and Industry Disruption

01:59 Jobs at Risk: The Impact of AI

07:09 AI as a Catalyst for Innovation

09:55 Siloed Knowledge in Real Estate

13:46 The Changing Landscape of Commercial Real Estate

19:02 AI's Role in Data Aggregation

23:06 The Future of Deal Origination

30:03 The Entrepreneurial Spirit in the Age of AI

Reach out to Luke via Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-jamison-tatman-b272b0154/