Complex Systems with Patrick McKenzie (patio11)

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (patio11) and returning guest Ross Rheingans-Yoo discuss the strategic advantages of starting a podcast, particularly for professionals seeking to build trust, expand their networks, and support fundraising efforts. They explore the nuts and bolts of podcast production models, recording logistics, transcript creation, and how to make the experience frictionless for high-value guests. Ross shares his thought process around his newly-launched show Development and Research while Patrick gives a behind the scenes look at the makings of Complex Systems.  – Full transcript available here: https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/capitalists-guide-to-podcasting-with-ross-rheingans-yoo [https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/capitalists-guide-to-podcasting-with-ross-rheingans-yoo] – Sponsor:  Mercury This episode is brought to you by Mercury [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign], the fintech trusted by 200K+ companies — from first milestones to running complex systems. Mercury offers banking that truly understands startups and scales with them. Start today at Mercury.com  [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign] Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC. – Recommended in this episode: * Development and Research Podcast: https://developmentandresearch.bio/ [https://developmentandresearch.bio/]  * Podcast Twitter feed: @DevAndResearch [https://x.com/DevAndResearch] * Ross & Ricki’s Trading Bootcamp June 3-5: https://trading.camp/complex [https://trading.camp/complex]  * Ross' first appearance on Complex Systems: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GiO0KYqxJNCIdltCyhN6m [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GiO0KYqxJNCIdltCyhN6m] * Ricki Heicklen on Complex Systems (our first episode!): https://open.spotify.com/episode/11kEUYRn4gXZGju232hzcg [https://open.spotify.com/episode/11kEUYRn4gXZGju232hzcg] – Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:18) The power of podcasting for venture capitalists (03:09) Building trust through voice  (07:11) Podcast production models  (16:38) Recording and equipment essentials  (23:05) Sponsor: Mercury  (24:18) Post-production and transcripts  (32:22) Advertising vs. User experience  (33:28) Creating standalone artifacts  (34:20) The power of video clips  (35:22) Challenges in podcast distribution  (42:12) The role of guests in podcasts  (47:12) Pre-recording preparation  (49:22) Recording session best practices  (54:22) The value of silence in conversations  (56:38) Launching and growing a podcast  (59:18) Trading bootcamp  (1:02:27) Wrap

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (patio11) is joined by Jacob Swett of Blueprint Biosecurity to discuss far UVC technology - a specialized wavelength of UV light that kills airborne pathogens while remaining safe for humans. Jacob explains how widespread deployment of this technology in schools, hospitals, and public spaces could dramatically reduce respiratory diseases and prevent future pandemics, comparing our approach to air quality with the water sanitation revolution that eliminated diseases like typhoid. They discuss the economics of implementation (starting around $30 per student annually with costs likely decreasing), the historical reasons why this technology hasn't been widely deployed, and Blueprint Biosecurity's roadmap for increasing adoption from early users to eventual regulations similar to fire safety codes.  – Full transcript available here: https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/killing-viruses-with-light-with-jacob-swett/ [https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/killing-viruses-with-light-with-jacob-swett/]  – Sponsor:  Mercury [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign] This episode is brought to you by Mercury [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign], the fintech trusted by 200K+ companies — from first milestones to running complex systems. Mercury offers banking that truly understands startups and scales with them. Start today at Mercury.com  [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign] Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC. – Recommended in this episode:  * Blueprint Report: https://blueprintbiosecurity.org/u/2025/03/Blueprint-for-Far-UVC-PREPRINTv1.0.pdf  [https://blueprintbiosecurity.org/u/2025/03/Blueprint-for-Far-UVC-PREPRINTv1.0.pdf] – Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (00:31) The importance of indoor air quality (01:29) Technologies for cleaner air (02:31) The promise of Far-UVC (03:10) Impact of COVID-19 on air quality awareness (04:11) Understanding Far-UVC light (06:44) Applications and benefits of Far-UVC (16:42) Challenges and adoption of Far-UVC (20:40) Sponsor: Mercury (21:53) Challenges and adoption of Far-UVC (Part 2) (23:19) Cost and benefits of Far-UVC (26:40) The broader impact of respiratory pathogens (29:41) Rediscovering the world for better health (30:05) Historical perspectives on infectious diseases (30:57) The role of sanitation and antibiotics (33:02) Miasma theory and airborne transmission (34:59) Impact of World War II on disease research (38:06) The evolution of public health priorities (42:39) Future of Far-UVC Technology (46:03) Challenges in implementing Far-UVC (56:47) The importance of rigorous studies (01:00:33) Wrap

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (patio11) is joined by Zac Townsend, a serial founder and CEO of Meanwhile, a fully regulated life insurance company operating in Bitcoin. They explore the differences between life and property insurance, explain why term life is essential financial protection everyone should consider, and dive into the tax benefits that shape the industry. Zac shares insights on how private equity firms are acquiring insurers for their stable capital base, and explains Bermuda's role as the world's insurance capital.  – Full transcript available here: https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/life-insurance-and-your-money-with-zac-townsend/ [https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/life-insurance-and-your-money-with-zac-townsend/] – Sponsor:  Mercury [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign] This episode is brought to you by Mercury [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign], the fintech trusted by 200K+ companies — from first milestones to running complex systems. Mercury offers banking that truly understands startups and scales with them. Start today at Mercury.com  [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign] Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC. – Recommended in this episode: * Meanwhile https://meanwhile.bm/ [https://meanwhile.bm/] – Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (00:23) Overview of Meanwhile Insurance (00:56) How Bitcoin is being used in the insurance industry (02:12) Understanding different types of insurance (06:13) Term life insurance explained (07:26) Life insurance tips for tech professionals (12:47) Permanent life insurance and annuities (18:57) Sponsor: Mercury (20:11) Insurance regulatory insights (25:46) Principal-agent problems in insurance (37:09) Tax considerations in life insurance (42:16) Leveraging life insurance for estate planning (44:55) Premium financing explained (47:39) Wealth management and market segmentation (52:09) Regulatory challenges and mispricing in insurance (01:03:32) Reinsurance and the role of bermuda (01:10:27) Private equity's interest in insurance (01:14:24) Building a crypto life insurance company (01:20:02) Wrap

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (@patio11) is joined by Mikey Dickerson to discuss the complex realities behind government software projects. Mikey shares insights from leading the healthcare.gov rescue effort and founding the United States Digital Service, explaining how procurement processes create requirements through committee decision-making without market-based feedback loops. They explore how government systems handle software development differently than industry, with Mikey noting that the issues are less about individual competence and more about systemic incentives that reward risk aversion. The conversation covers the challenges of "modernization" efforts, the loss of organizational management knowledge over decades, and reflection on when and how technologists might effectively contribute to public service.  – Full transcript available here: https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/episodes/fixing-government-technology-with-mikey-dickerson/ [https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/episodes/fixing-government-technology-with-mikey-dickerson/] – Sponsor:  Mercury [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign] This episode is brought to you by Mercury [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign], the fintech trusted by 200K+ companies — from first milestones to running complex systems. Mercury offers banking that truly understands startups and scales with them. Start today at Mercury.com  [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign] Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC. – Recommended in this episode: www.complexsystemspodcast.com/fixing-government-technology-with-mikey-dickerson/ [https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/fixing-government-technology-with-mikey-dickerson/] * Bureaucracy by James Q. Wilson: https://www.amazon.com/Bureaucracy-Government-Agencies-Basic-Classics/dp/0465007856 [https://www.amazon.com/Bureaucracy-Government-Agencies-Basic-Classics/dp/0465007856]  * Movie: The Pentagon Wars https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pentagon_Wars [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pentagon_Wars]  * Mikey Dickerson's company Layer Aleph: https://layeraleph.com/  [https://layeraleph.com/] * Complex Systems with Dan Davies https://open.spotify.com/episode/5QKxzgumJXSQuaWCmYAoM9?si=uQWgAx1iSzGm5iCUBWei8A [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5QKxzgumJXSQuaWCmYAoM9?si=uQWgAx1iSzGm5iCUBWei8A]  * Complex Systems with Dave Guarino https://open.spotify.com/episode/0UlTIRosmjtvpcdHQ7t2tK?si=MlUqO3uWRie1E_GRQ5D7jg  [https://open.spotify.com/episode/0UlTIRosmjtvpcdHQ7t2tK?si=MlUqO3uWRie1E_GRQ5D7jg] – Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (00:24) Government software procurement (06:02) Fighter planes and requirements (08:37) Software development cycles (11:37) Deadline challenges (12:18) California vaccine scheduling (16:15) Pandemic priorities (17:27) Sponsor: Mercury (18:40) Government employee competence (22:30) Government pay scales (25:56) IRS modernization reports (27:48) System modernization plans (34:33) Healthcare.gov lessons (36:59) Government software capability (40:29) Feedback loops in civil service (44:09) Legislative expertise (46:49) Applied mathematics (47:57) Loss of knowledge (49:28) Tour of duty recommendation (53:06) Wrap

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (@patio11) is joined by Daniel Golliher, founder of Maximum New York, to discuss the opaque mechanics of political power and how everyday people can effectively engage with government systems. They explore the stark gap between formal political science degrees and how politics actually works, practical tactics for influencing policy (like optimizing the printability of a blog post to placing well-timed calls to legislators), and Daniel’s concept of ‘blue tape’. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize that participating in governance requires far less expertise and connections than most people assume—mainly just the willingness to show up prepared.  – Full transcript available here: www.complexsystemspodcast.com/understanding-and-wielding-power-in-local-government-with-daniel-golliher/ [https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/understanding-and-wielding-power-in-local-government-with-daniel-golliher/] – Sponsor:  Vanta Vanta [https://vanta.com/complex] automates security compliance and builds trust, helping companies streamline ISO, SOC 2, and AI framework certifications. Learn more at https://vanta.com/complex [https://vanta.com/complex] – Recommended in this episode: * Daniel Golliher’s essay: Political Science Degrees Must End: https://www.maximumnewyork.com/p/political-science-degrees [https://www.maximumnewyork.com/p/political-science-degrees]  * Patrick McKenzie: https://worksinprogress.co/issue/the-story-of-vaccinateca/ [https://worksinprogress.co/issue/the-story-of-vaccinateca/]  * Statecraft by Santi Ruiz: https://www.statecraft.pub/ [https://www.statecraft.pub/]  – Timestamps (00:00) Intro (00:33) The reality of political science education (02:45) The apprenticeship model in government (04:24) Challenges in government training (07:06) The role of legislative aides (10:33) Local government and housing policies (14:24) Effective political engagement (16:15) The power of communication in policy (20:26) Sponsor: Vanta (21:44) Witnessing government in action (31:29) Learning government and politics (32:21) LLMs and policy (35:10) Engaging with local politics (37:58) Influencing policy (43:25) Running for office (47:10) Blue tape (58:39) Wrap