Show Notes
It's New Year's Eve, and I've been taking stock of everything 2025 threw my way and what I want 2026 to look like. There were plenty of ups and downs, but what didn't work has forced me to rethink how I lead. In this episode, I talk honestly about what's changing at AppSumo, what I've learned by getting closer to the work again, and why leadership right now looks very different than it did. In this conversation you'll enjoy 3 BIG things: Setting goals that actually change your behavior
Going easier on yourself when things don't work out
Resetting direction when you've drifted
Enjoy these 3 things plus many nuggets along the way. My book Million Dollar Weekend is for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start something without overthinking it. I break the process down into simple steps you can actually do in a weekend. I also send emails with my unfiltered thoughts on business, money, and life. People seem to like them. You can sign up at noahkagan.com and join 350k+ readers getting the good stuff each month.
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I was walking along the beach in Santa Cruz and two old dudes stopped to take a photo of me and my family. One of them said, "What an Indian summer." Haha, I had no idea what that meant. I Looked it up and it's that weird in-between period when summer is ending but fall hasn't really started yet. I got to thinking, that's kinda how life feels right now. This month I'm talking about building my own apps with AI, getting my hands dirty at AppSumo, growing TidyCal and SendFox again, raising two daughters, and trying to figure out how much work is actually enough. If you're building a business, experimenting with AI, or just figuring out what you want the rest of your year to look like, you'll like this one. In this conversation, you'll enjoy 3 BIG things: • Why building my own AI apps made me a better CEO • How to figure out what deserves your time between business and family • Why sometimes deciding what's already enough is a key to happiness. Enjoy these 3 things plus many nuggets along the way.
Right before I recorded this episode, my daughter was crying because she wanted me to stay and have lunch with her. I don't wanna lie to her. I told her, "Daddy's going to work, and then I'll come back." That's been on my mind a lot lately. This month I'm talking about what it's really like running a multi-million dollar business while raising two young daughters. The guilt, the trade-offs, the lessons I'm stealing from other parents, and why I've realized the best thing I can do isn't tell my kids how to live... it's show them. Whether you're raising kids, running a company, or just trying to figure out what deserves your time, I think you'll get something from this one. In this conversation, you'll enjoy 3 BIG things: • The parenting lesson that's changing how I think about leadership • Why your example matters more than your advice • How I'm deciding what's actually worth missing time with my family for I have also been sharing emails on my brutally honest advice on a variety of topics. People have been loving it. Sign up at noahkagan.com and join 350k other people who get juicy insights every month.
A listener sent me a message saying I'd lost my spark. That I didn't sound inspired anymore. Honestly... it made me stop and think. In this episode, I unpack why he was partly right. My calling isn't software deals anymore. It's building businesses, solving problems, and showing up for the people who count on me. I also share one AI workflow that's completely changed how I lead AppSumo, why we overreacted to the AI boom, and what happens when you stop chasing every shiny new thing and get back to your core. If you've ever wondered whether you've outgrown your work, this one's for you. In this conversation, you'll enjoy 3 BIG things: • Why your calling can evolve without losing your purpose • How to course-correct when you realize you've drifted too far from your core • Why honest feedback (even from AI) can make you a better leader Enjoy these 3 things plus many nuggets along the way.
This month I've been thinking a lot about distractions and how easy it is to spend time on things that feel productive while avoiding the one thing that actually matters. I've been getting distracted by stocks and NBA bets, using AI as a weirdly effective therapist after an argument with my wife, and finally the big focus reset we're making at AppSumo. If you've been feeling scattered, stuck, or like you're busy but not really moving forward… this one's for you. 🎧 In this episode, you'll learn: Why Distractions usually reveal the real problem.
I'm feeding my baby while recording this… she's spilling milk, I'm spilling AppSumo updates. Everybody wins. So we've gone from 140 people down to around 40. Revenue has dropped hard. And for the first time in 16 years, staying in business actually feels uncertain. So this episode is about what we're doing now. What's working, what's not, and how we're getting things back on track. I talk about why we're focusing on just 30 great deals instead of hundreds, what AI is actually good for… and where it's total BS. And how I'm thinking about rebuilding the team in a way that actually works long term. Also sharing a mindset nugget I just heard and loved from an incredibly talented cyclist: 'when it's hard, that's when you're strong'. Turns out that applies to parenting… and business. You'll like this one if things feel messy right now and you're trying to figure out your next move.