StarZero All shows Try the podcast clipper →

Apr 24, 2025 · 50m · my-first-million

5 under-the-radar trends (+ our business ideas)

Steph Smith · 28m spoken Sam Parr · 16m spoken
0:00 / 0:00
▶ Watch on YouTube →

gold bands on the timeline = statements, start to end. Hover to read, click to jump. CC turns on captions

Sam Parr and Steph Smith explore five under-the-radar market trends and generational datasets, brainstorming actionable startup opportunities across ear health, autonomous aviation, psychedelic coaching, labor shortages, and biomimetic engineering.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. The hosts hold 37.5% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

The hosts as informed peer 4.0 Guest teaching 3.3 Guest disagreement 1.3 The hosts pushing back 1.3
05100:0015:0030:0045:003:23–7:59 · The hosts as informed peer 4/10 Trend 1: Hearing Loss and the Normalization of Earwear Steph shares macro data projecting 2.5 billion people will experience hearing loss by 2050. Sam adds firsthand expertise regarding the poor quality of hearing aids, surgery history, and market opportunities like Loop earplugs.7:59–17:43 · The hosts as informed peer 4/10 Sponsor Segment: HubSpot Market Research Tools Steph explains recent FAA policy changes enabling beyond-line-of-sight drone flights and new EVTOL classifications. Sam contributes relevant industry knowledge on public players like Archer and logistical moats in last-mile delivery.17:43–24:35 · The hosts as informed peer 3/10 Trend 3: Psychedelics Decriminalization and Guided Life Coaching Steph discusses the decriminalization trajectory of psilocybin and pitches guided life/career coaching. Sam validates the concept with an entertaining personal anecdote about an encounter with an ex-banker shaman.24:35–34:22 · The hosts as informed peer 5/10 Trend 4: Labor Market Gaps and Pay Transparency Scraping Steph details high-growth labor categories and outlines an idea to scrape state-mandated salary postings. Sam demonstrates domain expertise by pulling up live a16z job data and sharing metrics from his accounting directory Sam's List.3:23–7:59 · Guest teaching 3/10 Trend 1: Hearing Loss and the Normalization of Earwear Steph shares macro data projecting 2.5 billion people will experience hearing loss by 2050. Sam adds firsthand expertise regarding the poor quality of hearing aids, surgery history, and market opportunities like Loop earplugs.7:59–17:43 · Guest teaching 4/10 Sponsor Segment: HubSpot Market Research Tools Steph explains recent FAA policy changes enabling beyond-line-of-sight drone flights and new EVTOL classifications. Sam contributes relevant industry knowledge on public players like Archer and logistical moats in last-mile delivery.17:43–24:35 · Guest teaching 2/10 Trend 3: Psychedelics Decriminalization and Guided Life Coaching Steph discusses the decriminalization trajectory of psilocybin and pitches guided life/career coaching. Sam validates the concept with an entertaining personal anecdote about an encounter with an ex-banker shaman.24:35–34:22 · Guest teaching 4/10 Trend 4: Labor Market Gaps and Pay Transparency Scraping Steph details high-growth labor categories and outlines an idea to scrape state-mandated salary postings. Sam demonstrates domain expertise by pulling up live a16z job data and sharing metrics from his accounting directory Sam's List.3:23–7:59 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Trend 1: Hearing Loss and the Normalization of Earwear Steph shares macro data projecting 2.5 billion people will experience hearing loss by 2050. Sam adds firsthand expertise regarding the poor quality of hearing aids, surgery history, and market opportunities like Loop earplugs.7:59–17:43 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Sponsor Segment: HubSpot Market Research Tools Steph explains recent FAA policy changes enabling beyond-line-of-sight drone flights and new EVTOL classifications. Sam contributes relevant industry knowledge on public players like Archer and logistical moats in last-mile delivery.17:43–24:35 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Trend 3: Psychedelics Decriminalization and Guided Life Coaching Steph discusses the decriminalization trajectory of psilocybin and pitches guided life/career coaching. Sam validates the concept with an entertaining personal anecdote about an encounter with an ex-banker shaman.24:35–34:22 · Guest disagreement 2/10 Trend 4: Labor Market Gaps and Pay Transparency Scraping Steph details high-growth labor categories and outlines an idea to scrape state-mandated salary postings. Sam demonstrates domain expertise by pulling up live a16z job data and sharing metrics from his accounting directory Sam's List.3:23–7:59 · The hosts pushing back 1/10 Trend 1: Hearing Loss and the Normalization of Earwear Steph shares macro data projecting 2.5 billion people will experience hearing loss by 2050. Sam adds firsthand expertise regarding the poor quality of hearing aids, surgery history, and market opportunities like Loop earplugs.7:59–17:43 · The hosts pushing back 1/10 Sponsor Segment: HubSpot Market Research Tools Steph explains recent FAA policy changes enabling beyond-line-of-sight drone flights and new EVTOL classifications. Sam contributes relevant industry knowledge on public players like Archer and logistical moats in last-mile delivery.17:43–24:35 · The hosts pushing back 1/10 Trend 3: Psychedelics Decriminalization and Guided Life Coaching Steph discusses the decriminalization trajectory of psilocybin and pitches guided life/career coaching. Sam validates the concept with an entertaining personal anecdote about an encounter with an ex-banker shaman.24:35–34:22 · The hosts pushing back 2/10 Trend 4: Labor Market Gaps and Pay Transparency Scraping Steph details high-growth labor categories and outlines an idea to scrape state-mandated salary postings. Sam demonstrates domain expertise by pulling up live a16z job data and sharing metrics from his accounting directory Sam's List.

speaking balance: gold is the hosts, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · the hosts 58.3% · guest 41.7%0:00 · the hosts 58.3% · guest 41.7%3:00 · the hosts 20.2% · guest 79.8%3:00 · the hosts 20.2% · guest 79.8%6:00 · the hosts 61.4% · guest 38.6%6:00 · the hosts 61.4% · guest 38.6%9:00 · the hosts 28.8% · guest 71.2%9:00 · the hosts 28.8% · guest 71.2%12:00 · the hosts 29.8% · guest 70.2%12:00 · the hosts 29.8% · guest 70.2%15:00 · the hosts 42.6% · guest 57.4%15:00 · the hosts 42.6% · guest 57.4%18:00 · the hosts 82% · guest 18%18:00 · the hosts 82% · guest 18%21:00 · the hosts 36.8% · guest 63.2%21:00 · the hosts 36.8% · guest 63.2%24:00 · the hosts 29% · guest 71%24:00 · the hosts 29% · guest 71%27:00 · the hosts 60.3% · guest 39.7%27:00 · the hosts 60.3% · guest 39.7%30:00 · the hosts 25.6% · guest 74.4%30:00 · the hosts 25.6% · guest 74.4%33:00 · the hosts 15.8% · guest 84.2%33:00 · the hosts 15.8% · guest 84.2%36:00 · the hosts 14.6% · guest 85.4%36:00 · the hosts 14.6% · guest 85.4%39:00 · the hosts 10.6% · guest 89.4%39:00 · the hosts 10.6% · guest 89.4%42:00 · the hosts 47.9% · guest 52.1%42:00 · the hosts 47.9% · guest 52.1%45:00 · the hosts 42.3% · guest 57.7%45:00 · the hosts 42.3% · guest 57.7%48:00 · the hosts 27.6% · guest 72.4%48:00 · the hosts 27.6% · guest 72.4%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 33:48 Playful disagreement over 'age-old' Glassdoor

Steph asserts that Glassdoor is an 'age-old' internet company, prompting a lighthearted debate with Sam over what qualifies as age-old.

 Hardest push from the hosts ▶ 31:59 Sam questions scope of pay transparency ranges

Sam pushes back on how broad pay ranges are listed in practice and questions whether high-earning partner roles are actually posted.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 11:00 Steph breaks down new FAA regulatory categories

Steph informs Sam that EVTOLs represent the first newly certified category of aircraft in nearly eight decades since light sport aircraft.

 The host holds their own ▶ 32:26 Sam live-tests salary transparency on a16z job board

Sam tests Steph's thesis on the fly by navigating directly to Andreessen Horowitz's job portal to verify salary disclosures for finance roles.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicThe hosts as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementThe hosts pushing backWhy
Trend 1: Hearing Loss and the Normalization of Earwear 4311 Steph shares macro data projecting 2.5 billion people will experience hearing loss by 2050. Sam adds firsthand expertise regarding the poor quality of hearing aids, surgery history, and market opportunities like Loop earplugs.
Sponsor Segment: HubSpot Market Research Tools 4411 Steph explains recent FAA policy changes enabling beyond-line-of-sight drone flights and new EVTOL classifications. Sam contributes relevant industry knowledge on public players like Archer and logistical moats in last-mile delivery.
Trend 3: Psychedelics Decriminalization and Guided Life Coaching 3211 Steph discusses the decriminalization trajectory of psilocybin and pitches guided life/career coaching. Sam validates the concept with an entertaining personal anecdote about an encounter with an ex-banker shaman.
Trend 4: Labor Market Gaps and Pay Transparency Scraping 5422 Steph details high-growth labor categories and outlines an idea to scrape state-mandated salary postings. Sam demonstrates domain expertise by pulling up live a16z job data and sharing metrics from his accounting directory Sam's List.

Statements from this episode (10)

Assertion Supported
Steph Smith: 2.5 billion people projected to experience hearing loss by 2050
“So the stat or the digit is that nearly 2.5 billion people by 20 50 are expected to experience hearing loss. With over seven hundred million requiring rehabilitation.”
Steph Smith Apr 24, 2025 ▶ 3:24
Prediction Not checkable as stated
Parr: Earplug brand Loop is going to achieve massive success
“Dude, this company Loop is going to kill it. They sell 50 dollar earplugs.”
Sam Parr Apr 24, 2025 ▶ 7:30
Assertion Supported
Parr: Untreated hearing loss increases dementia risk four to five times
“Is if you have a hearing loss and you don't address it, the increase of getting dementia jumps significantly. Like four or five times”
Sam Parr Apr 24, 2025 ▶ 8:45
Assertion Supported
Smith: eVTOL is the first new FAA aircraft category in nearly 80 years
“They started approving these electric Vertical takeoff and landing companies, the EV tool companies, and again, that was in the news, but what wasn't covered as much was the fact that this was the first new category of aircraft in nearly 80 years”
Steph Smith Apr 24, 2025 ▶ 11:04
Disclosure
Smith: a16z invested in emergency 911 response drone startups
“Yeah, we, at A-X-Z, invested in a few of these companies”
Steph Smith Apr 24, 2025 ▶ 13:35
Assertion Supported
Smith: Waymo already accounts for 20% of Austin Uber rides
“Waymo's are already taking up 20% of Uber rides in Austin”
Steph Smith Apr 24, 2025 ▶ 15:21
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Parr: Accounting firms have ample demand but face severe labor shortages
“What we've noticed talking to 400 accountants is that they don't need more business. They go, we have enough business. What we need is more accountants. They're like, I can't hire fast enough. Like it's, no one wants to be an accountant. And we just simply do …”
Sam Parr Apr 24, 2025 ▶ 27:22
Insight
Smith: Target AI software at labor-starved industries to ease sales friction
“Those are exactly the industries that people should be looking at for building AI products, right? If you think about even just the selling motion that you need to do for any new product, if you're going to a company and they have ample demand, and there's lik…”
Steph Smith Apr 24, 2025 ▶ 27:41
Insight
Smith: Scraping public job postings can usurp Glassdoor's salary database
“All, every time a company is posting a job posting, they are saying how much they pay. And I have not seen anyone aggregate this information in a meaningful way, where if I'm again, if I'm trying to join a new company or if I'm trying to negotiate, I'm still g…”
Steph Smith Apr 24, 2025 ▶ 31:20
Disclosure
Smith: Internet Pipes has generated six figures in revenue
“It's six figures.”
Steph Smith Apr 24, 2025 ▶ 45:19
Made with StarZero

Turn any episode into a week of clips.

This entire site, over 300 episodes transcribed, diarized, checked and made playable, runs on the StarZero media pipeline. Drop in your own episode and the podcast clipper finds the moments worth sharing, cuts them, captions them, and reframes them for every feed.

Try the podcast clipper Learn more