Exploring the wins, challenges, & lessons from startups. Honest conversations, real insights, and everything in between. Troy Hammond & Serge van Dam, with deep roots in the startup ecosystem in New Zealand and beyond, explore the world of startups, tech, markets, and media. They break down industry trends, uncover the realities of scaling companies, and share expert insights through candid conversations. Each episode features top founders, operators, investors, and innovators, offering lessons, perspectives, and stories from the frontlines of business and technology.
WFLS Podcast
Claim This Podcastby Talent Army Media
4.9(55 reviews)
110 episodes
Updated Bi-weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇳🇿
63
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality62
Social0
YouTube86
Engagement77
Podcast Overview
Exploring the wins, challenges, & lessons from startups. Honest conversations, real insights, and everything in between. Troy Hammond & Serge van Dam, with deep roots in the startup ecosystem in New Zealand and beyond, explore the world of startups, tech, markets, and media. They break down industry trends, uncover the realities of scaling companies, and share expert insights through candid conversations. Each episode features top founders, operators, investors, and innovators, offering lessons, perspectives, and stories from the frontlines of business and technology.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
12/9/2022
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63
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality62
Social0
YouTube86
Engagement77
7
Excellent Areas
2
Good Performance
10
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Episode Length
1h 14m
Performing excellently!
good
Publishing Consistency
Every 11 days
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poor
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Recent Episodes
May 22, 2026
The NZ Startup Trying to Save Music
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sachajudd" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Sacha Judd</a>, Co-founder and COO of <a href="https://lumemusic.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Lume Music</a>, joins Startup Theatre to discuss the future of music, creator monetisation, and building a startup in one of the world’s toughest industries.</p><p>We explore why the traditional music industry model is failing independent artists, how streaming platforms changed the economics of music, and why creator-owned communities could become the future.</p><p>Sacha shares the story behind Lume Music and the company’s mission to help artists grow audiences, connect directly with fans, and build sustainable careers.</p><p>Topics include:</p><ul><li>Music-tech startups</li><li>Creator monetisation</li><li>AI and the future of music</li><li>Independent artists and streaming platforms</li><li>Startup growth and entrepreneurship</li><li>Fan communities and creator ownership</li><li>Building disruptive technology businesses</li></ul><p>Hosted by Troy Hammond and Adrienne Muir on <a href="www.startuptheatre.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Startup Theatre</a>.</p><p><br /></p>
May 6, 2026
Why New Zealand is Falling Behind
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiebeaton/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Jamie Beaton</a>, founder of Crimson Education, joins Startup Theatre for a wide-ranging conversation on ambition, AI, education, startups, and the future of New Zealand.</p><p>Jamie shares his journey from New Zealand student to Harvard and Yale, building Crimson Education into a global company, and why elite universities still matter in an AI-driven world.</p><p>We discuss:</p><ul><li>Why top universities are becoming more competitive</li><li>AI’s impact on careers and education</li><li>Whether SaaS is dead</li><li>Why New Zealand struggles with ambition</li><li>Charter schools and fixing education</li><li>Debate, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking</li><li>The future of startups and talent in NZ</li><li>Free speech and modern universities</li><li>What parents should focus on right now</li></ul><p>One of the most intellectually honest and thought-provoking Startup Theatre episodes yet.</p><p>Hosted by Troy Hammond and Serge Van Dam.</p>
April 16, 2026
$2.8B in Insurance claims were denied last year: My AI is fixing it.
<p>In this episode of Startup Theatre, Troy Hammond and Serge Van Dam sit down with Simon Archer, founder of PolicyCheck, to unpack one of the biggest untapped problems in global fintech: understanding insurance.</p><p>Simon shares the story behind leaving a successful corporate career to build in the AI era, driven by a simple but powerful realisation. He had already missed one major wave and wasn’t going to miss the next.</p><p>The conversation moves beyond the typical startup narrative into something more grounded. What actually happens when you leave corporate? Why most founders aren’t prepared, no matter how much theory they consume, and how building with AI is fundamentally changing how companies are created.</p><p>At the core of the episode is a problem most people have experienced but rarely question. Insurance is a promise, yet billions in claims are denied each year because people don’t fully understand what they’ve signed up for . PolicyCheck is taking a data-first approach to fix that.</p><p>They also get into:</p><ul><li>Why workflow products are becoming obsolete and data is the real opportunity</li><li>The shift to lean teams and shared product ownership</li><li>Building in New Zealand versus Australia</li><li>The reality of incubators in an AI-first world</li><li>What it actually takes to build a globally relevant company from NZ</li></ul><p>This is a conversation about timing, conviction, and solving problems that genuinely matter.</p><p>Links:<br>PolicyCheck: <a href="https://policycheck.com" target="_new" rel="noopener">https://policycheck.com</a><br>Simon Archer: <a href="https://linkedin.com/in/simonarcher" target="_new" rel="noopener">https://linkedin.com/in/simonarcher</a></p>
110 total episodes available with 1 transcripts
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is WFLS Podcast?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates bi-weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 9 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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