The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of Y Combinator, author, podcast host)

This podcast episode features Jessica Livingston, the co-founder of Y Combinator and author of "Founders at Work," discussing her unique skill of social radar and its impact on evaluating and investing in startups. The conversation also explores the importance of founder compatibility, openness to change, and defensiveness in successful founders. The speakers dive into the evaluation process, funding decisions, and the characteristics of successful founders. They also discuss the role of curiosity, gut instincts, and social radar in early-stage investing. The episode concludes with insights into effective interviewing techniques, tracking podcast analytics, and the challenges faced by women in male-dominated industries. The early days of Y Combinator and its growth are fondly remembered as a pure and magical time.