Yesterday’s, TWiST started off like any other TWiST but ended as one for the history books.  In this episode you will get to hear from two “Ask Jason” callers, one “Shark Tank” pitch and then this is where things get good, incredibly good.   You will get entertainment, a great cause and a smackdown ultimatum.

Things start off with a general overview of the Keiretsu Forum issue and Jason talk’s about why this is so disturbing (His open letters Part 1 & Part 2).  He comments that he came from the bottom fought his way up with no real help and made himself what he is and feels for the people doing the same and doesn’t want anyone to take advantage of them.

From their things move on to familiar territory with two “Ask Jason” questions with Jason joking he may have to start charging for these calls.  You will hear from Sam in NJ calling about how to get sponsorship advertising when you don’t big numbers.  The next call is Robert from TX asking about build vs. buying a hosted solution for CMS.  Things quickly move into the “Shark Tank” and we get to hear from Lucas in WI and his problem solving engine.  That is where normalcy ends and we move into the smackdown.

The discussion about Angel Investor’s charging to pitch basing their argument on the free capital market and their overhead begins.  First off we hear from “Mr. Bob” (failed Microsoft product, he wanted to remain anonymous) someone who actually pitched to the Keiretsu Forum five or six years ago.  He goes on to talk about where he went, who he felt was present and his overall distaste for this business model.  Next we hear from”Mr. Newton” (failed Apple platform) actually Jay Levy of Zelkova Ventures a NY based VC firm and his take on this practice.  During this conversation Jason briefs an email from a former Keiretsu Forum employee and his experience.  Lastly we hear from Steve Bell founder of StartupTrek and Keretsu Forum member.  Mr. Bell starts off with a little bit of flattery with a back hand mixed in telling Jason he is surprised he didn’t do his homework before attacking the forum.  I felt throughout this discussion Jason did a good job letting Mr. Bell speak until the end where you could tell he was fed up and laid down an ultimatum demanding that Keritsu forum stop charging their fee in 30 days and to publicly place on their website this change.  He goes on to let Mr. Bell know that if they do not stop charging he will host a competitive event as close as possible to their events.  Saying we will see which event entrepreneurs attend.  Later he even get’s on his knees begging them to stop the practice, stating he will even join their group.

In summary this is an epic show for it’s entertainment value and cause. Is this show on the same level as the bonus episode with Dr. Mark Goulston?  Yes, but in a different way in that show the conversation was thought provoking and compelling, this one sticks up for the little guy with a great cause.  I purposely tried to write this a bit vague, I didn’t want to spoil this show for anyone, I took 4 pages of notes but seeing this one is believing.  I am sure the 500+ live viewers will agree with my sentiment that this show is not one to miss.  The entertainment value was off the charts.

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TWiST with John MacFarlane Review

Yesterday’s, TWiST episode featured John MacFarlane of Sonos on location at New Noise Santa Barbara.  For those of you who don’t know what Sonos is (I didn’t) in basic terms it is hardware that allows you to play music throughout your house (using zone controllers and a main hand-held controller) by tapping into the internet.  I wish they would have started the show off by showing the “See how Sonos works” video on their homepage, bringing us up to speed on the product.

Here is a small list of some of the topics:

• Why they got into the hardware business
• How they compete with Apple
• Thoughts on Apple and their monopolistic feel concerning iTunes and IPhone
• DRM
• Next step for Sonos
• Dark Labels
• Subscription vs purchased music

From there they move to “The News” discussing Mylie Cyrus, SpiffBox, Stumbleupon and app. addiction.  They wrap up the show with the (Aug 28th) Episode 13 review contest with the winner being Minority Feature chosen by Lon and Alex, not Jason.  One little point here, Jason if you are going to run a contest at least have the respect of the 25 people who took the time to write a review to choose the winner.

My recommendations: When taking the show on the road make sure it benefits the viewer.  When TWiST traveled to Sequoia we got to hear from Mark Arrington and Roelof Botha two individual we may not have heard from on a regular show in LA.  By this I mean that Roelof is in touch with the leading edge of the industry through his firm and to have the opportunity to gain insight from him is worth missing other segments.  This episode consisted of “The Interview” and “The News” lacking was the “Ask Jason”, “Shark Tank” and the “Homework” segments.  If their was an episode that needed these segments this one did, the show had a few interesting points but it felt slow and overall was never compelling.  Usually during a regular show the chatroom is a buzz with the normal personalities, not so for this episode, they were present but not participating like normal.

I rate this show a 7 out of 10, even Babe Ruth didn’t hit a homerun every time at bat.

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TWiST with Mark Goulston Review

Lately, I have felt Jason’s interviews on occasion (not always) have gotten a bit stale (they seem to hit the same topics, over and over) that is why I started a “Best Question” post hoping that Jason might strive to get something interesting out of his guests. Well yesterday, This Week in Startups featured a bonus show with Dr. Mark Goulston, Psychiatrist, Author of Just Listen and HuffingtonPost blogger and all I can say is “THAT IS WHY I LISTEN TO THIS WEEK IN STARTUPS”. Jason and Mark both brought their “A” game with a very interesting and compelling discussion about interpersonal relationships. The show got so interesting the chatroom stopped chatting and listened for 10 to 15 minutes a feat in itself.

The show featured topics such as:

• • Opportunist vs. Visionary
  • Are you a one trick pony?
  • Resiliency
  • Motivation techniques
  • Quieting the startup chaos
  • Maintaining energy at a startup
  • Boss vs. employee relationship
  • A free resource from Mark

This episode was not a normal show with all the different segments, it is just an interview but you won’t be disappointed.  TWiST definitely reached a new level last night and I expect for everyone to get the most out of this episode, you will have to listen to it twice.  I know my recap will take a couple listens.

If you enjoy a thought provoking interview, this is a must watch or listen.  If you would like to read more about Mark, TIME is featuring his book this Monday

Definitely a 10 out of 10:

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In this episode of TWiST, Jason hits the ground running.  Things start-off with a brief but very insightful conversation with Roelof Botha of Sequoia Capital.  They talk about whether innovation is dead, how the economy has affected tech. and where we are in their opinion in relation to the recession.

Jason quickly gets down to business with the “Ask Jason” segment fielding 2 question and promptly moves into “Jason’s Shark Tank”.  The pitches in my opinion were weak but with ok ideas.  Roelof who has seen more pitches than we can probably imagine gives some pointer: state your idea briefly, present the problem and move on to the solution.  The only problem during these segments was the audio of  the callers, it was difficult to hear, during one of the calls a mike is placed on the speaker phone which helped out a lot.

At the end of the show Jason asks Roelof, what are his strengths and weakness.  Roelof comments about Jason’s passion and work ethic but worries about his focus at times.  Things promptly wrap up in one hour and I have to say technical difficulties aside this is one of the best shows I have seen.

I do have to apologize this review was created from notes I made while watching live.  I prefer to watch the show twice before making a judgment.  Case in point was when Mike Arrington was on last week I didn’t like him live but after watching a second time I changed my mind.  So if you watch the show and think I am way off base, I apologize Episode 15 seems to be MIA.

Episode 15 Rating:

If you like the review please hit the “retweet” button up top.

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This Week in Startups was brought to you live at Sequoia Capital with a bit of an understandably different format. The big X factor in this show is the presence of Mike Arrington of TechCrunch fame. While watching live, I was a Mike Arrington hater, he disrupted the flow and Jason seemed a little off quilter. I was even thinking of good post titles all revolving around Mr. Arrington, “Leo was right, SCREW YOU ARRINGTON”, “Mike “No Respect” Arrington” came to mind. I even thought of creating a disruption counter as a nice little visual (for those of you interested 7 in 24 minutes, 1 every 3.4 minutes). However, when not trying to be funny he had some good input. I am particularly happy he brought up CrunchBase, I had overlooked the link at the top of TechCrunch and it has some great information.

The beauty of this interview, while not structure well (it jumps around a bit), Garry is new to the startup business and still learning, so I feel we get a first look into the mind of a new entrepreneur. However, I was hoping to hear these questions asked in the interview:

• How did you get introduced or get the attention of YCombinator?
• Follow up on business model? Garry never answered the monetization question

When editing be consistent show urls, so it is easier for viewers to find (audiblepodcast.com/twist, Ustream, webspy, dnamail, guest site), Jason never seems to remember the Audible url and If it is viewed I think it is easier for viewers to remember. You may want to ask Audible for a url for people that already have an account to show them you are spreading the word (maybe a one month half price promo)

Jason suggests that Garry try his idea (iPhone contest) for Posterous’s next 5 features. Nothing on Posterous Blog yet, we’ll see if he takes his advice.

Tyler’s news delivery is not so good, better stick to insights. I recommended trying Tyler in the news chair in my last review (which fit the segment) but be careful not to exclude your guest in conversation.

One last point, this show was much shorter, just a little over an hour which is understandable.  I am sure Jason’s schedule is filled with TechCrunch50 meetings. However, the one thing I think we learned is 1:01 is too short and 2:25 is too long. I do look forward to next week’s format of Ask Jason and Jason’s Shark Tank, just an FYI each question is taking about 10 -12 minutes and a little longer for Shark tank pitches.

Show Ratings:

Mike Arrington:

Gary Tan:

Tyler:

Jason:

Overall Show:

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I think the best way to give feedback is by critiquing personalities, segments and the show in general.  I think Taurus (Toros) may be the best rating system, 10 being the best.

Personalities

Matt Mickiewicz, Guest.  Thank you for being on the show and putting yourself out there.  In a previous shows Jason’s has advocated experience over education and you represent his belief.  I really don’t have any advice; you get a 10 for being a show participant.  I am a big advocate of 99designs I have used your service and would recommend it to anyone.  Just a little insight you may be able to use, I got my entire family and friends involved in helping me pick a winner.  Everyone enjoyed the experience and were waiting to see what I chose, if you could add a friend rating system that would be great.  To be honest their were so many great logos I had a very tough decision but that is the beauty of your site, having a good tough decision, I couldn’t lose.  To the doubter this is my contest, if anyone wishes to run a contest, I can give a few pointers that may help, contact me.  Are you guys considering an affiliate program?

Andrew Warner of Mixergy, The News segment.  In addition to your job as guest news anchor and Mahalo product model, your work at Mixergy is great, anyone needing insight into starting  a business, should check out your work.  I thought your questions and follow-up comments contributed to the show.  I particularly liked the comment about people wasting their time when they could be listening to something that improves them on Audible.  I couldn’t agree more.

Phone In Guests, advice if your company name is a word mash please speak slowly and spell it out if need be, if you want anyone to find you.  John Theriault, you did a great job with Vivolve.  The rest of you should thank LinkedIn, for me finding your websites.  However, you get a 10 for participating.

Tyler Crowley, Insights, Holy cow your mike works!!!  Your influence / appearance on the show needs to be perfected.  You have a lot of interesting “Insights” but you need to work out a hand signal to que your “Insights From Tyler!!!” clip.  I would also consider getting a podium or music type stand for your computer so you can stand.  It will help your appearance, you are Jason’s Feldman (from the Regis show).  Personally, I wouldn’t mind having you in the news anchor chair when not in the news segment.  However, I’m not sure about all the things you may be doing off camera, just a thought.

Segments

Special Announcements, We Live In Public – the trailer in my opinion was reminiscent of George Orwell’s,  1984.  The segment was a bit long.

Ask Jason, This is my favorite segment, the Shark Tank is a great addition but this segmant helps the audience in a range of topics.

Jason’s Shark Tank, I love the new segment , Jason you mentioned in a previous show you should do a whole show on how to pitch.  I think I would have preferred to see this first.  Now I have to watch all the shows to get a glimmer of a good technique.  You did give a bit of advice on what to do but unfortunately, I feel I will have to wait for mistakes to figure out a good technique.  Also, if I knew a good technique, I would be able to spot that or see mistakes in the segment.  My only other comment, I DO NOT LIKE the visual, I prefer your original work.

Interview, besides being a good interview you never asked for Twitter questions.  I did think your one discussion was a bit incomplete with regard to spec work.  The world economy is beginning to show up in many peoples work lives and whoever works in the internet space is affected much more, this great medium allows for very few barriers of entry.  6.7 billion people around the world have to do something.  Most everyone will be affected by this sometime in your lives, that is why starting a business may be one of the last frontiers that may not be affected.  To the no spec people, embrace the change and work the system, this ship has sailed.

The News, it is what it is, opinionated and informative.

The Deadpool, it was nice an short but I don’t think I learned a whole lot on why they failed.  Maybe the obvious is the only reason.

Homework, generally I like this segment but I would give you an incomplete.  The professor said he wasn’t done with the assignment.  However, some Toros will be given for the promotion of Audible

Sponsors, DNAMail, Ustream, WebSpy and Audible, you did a great job.  Thank you for sponsoring the show.

Main Host, Jason Calacanis:

• I’m giving you a “Dude???” (we are about the same age so it is in our vernacular) you don’t know my URL it is only 5 more letters longer than your extremely long URL.  However, when I launch my new site it will be changed to StartupRecap.com(under construction).
• I like the fact that you admitted your mistake about successful Canadian businesses, you are human.
• However, when you pulled that Canadian population figure 30mil. (I checked, current number 33mil. close enough) out of your head, maybe you are a cylon.  That was reminiscent of Daniel Negraneu when he announced a guys cards, 2 hands in a row and was dead on, amazing.
• Your phone skills need a little work we heard the tone a bit too much I even jumped once.
• I am trying to decide where I stand on this, you look / glance over your shoulder at Tyler a lot and it may be distracting.  Have you considered putting him in the news anchor chair?  If you don’t like that have him at least stand.  I’m not digging him sitting down.
• I appreciate the fact that you disclose when you are involved in a project ie. ChallengePost, GDGT
• Only 12 minutes were left before you mentioned Jimmy Fails, you are improving.  You even had one show that you never mentioned him, I think for your guests sake I would try stop, I think it makes them uncomfortable.
• This interview was ok, I think your best was with Seth Sternberg of Meebo.  I liked how you got into how he does things ie. communication, hiring, working with investors.

Show Overview:

• I love the show it has a nice balance of entertainment and content.  I feel the way Jason speak is the real deal, if I meet him at TechCrunch I think I know what to expect.
• Some of the shows are getting long this one was 2:25 and even Matt commented that he watched the WHOLE show last week.  I got the impression he thought it was long but that is just a guess.  However, if you run long show, people may seek out my recap if they don’t have the time.  My recommendations, have only one question for “Ask Jason” and one “Shark Tank” pitch or shorten “The News” to only 3 stories.
• To the viewers that didn’t watch live, the show experienced an internet dropoff when Tim Holladay asked his question.  I think the TWiST staff did a great job in dealing with it, they immediately started tweeting about what was happening and that they would be up right away.  Whoever edited the show you did a great job their was hardly a blip.

• -1 because no show is a 10, -1 for length, Although, I should give you a 10 for the “Scott Simko” counter of 5

My Advice:

• Andrew did an interview with Leo Laporte at Mixergy that was great, he commented to never forget the audience and listen to what they have to say in broad terms (which I will say you do well, evidence is this contest).
• Work toward a balance of entertainment and quality content, never get lopsided and you will succeed.

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