Introducing: Out of the Crisis
The same day the shelter in place order was imposed in California, I spoke with Eric Ries for the first time. We were originally planning to meet in-person at a coffeeshop in San Francisco, but decided to move the meeting online.
I told Eric that Breaker had an upcoming hackweek and that we were looking for projects to help with the coronavirus relief effort. Eric suggested creating a new podcast that highlighted people who were doing good and called listeners to action, so they would be inspired to help too.
Eric volunteered to host the show and Ben Ehrlich from LTSE offered to produce it. Breaker agreed to edit the podcast and create the artwork. Thanks to our editor, Jacob Tender, and our designer, Emma Lundin. In that moment a partnership was formed—without so much a contract being signed, or even a handshake—based purely on trust and good will.
One month later, we are excited to officially launch “Out of the Crisis.” We decided on the name to pay homage to the book by W. Edwards Deming of the same title.
The first three guests are luminaries at the top of their respective fields. But more importantly, they have each answered the call to respond to this crisis.
In episode 1, Sam Altman—former president of startup accelerator Y Combinator—discusses the dozens of recent investments he’s made to teams who are working on a cure for COVID-19.
Episode 2 features Mark Cuban, the first NBA owner who agreed to keep his team’s concession workers employed through the crisis, who is also funding efforts to acquire personal protective equipment for frontline workers.
Episode 3 is with Code for America founder Jen Pahlka who, with Raylene Yung, recently started the U.S. Digital Response, a volunteer-run organization to help federal, state, and local government with their technology needs during the COVID-19 crisis.
We have even more great episodes lined-up for the future. I hope you’ll subscribe to the podcast on Breaker—but even more importantly—I hope you’ll be inspired to help in whatever way you can.
For more information on how to get involved, visit https://helpwithcovid.com/.
