Not Brothers

AI loops are changing how people get real work done with agents. In Episode 16 of Not Brothers, Mark and Ryan break down what “loops” actually mean in practice — not as vague AI hype, but as a better way to structure work: define the goal, write the success criteria, pair the builder with a reviewer, and let the system iterate until the work meets the bar. Ryan shares an example of a development t...

What happens when a digital agency starts building and launching its own software products? In Episode 15 of Not Brothers, Mark and Ryan talk about the lessons they’re learning from bringing Oodle-built products like Herald and Nebula to market. After years of helping clients promote finished products, they’re now dealing with the messier front end: product, price, placement, positioning, launch d...

In this episode of Not Brothers, Ryan and Mark dig into a major shift inside modern teams: AI now lets non-technical people prototype, build, and express product ideas in ways that used to require developers, designers, and long handoff cycles. That's powerful. It's also messy. The upside is real. AI can take someone from a vague idea to an interactive prototype incredibly quickly, compressing wir...

Short podcast summary Mark and Ryan dig into Herald, Oodle’s developer-native changelog and release notes platform built for teams that ship through GitHub but hate writing product updates from scratch. Ryan explains the gap he found in existing changelog tools, why release notes usually get skipped, and how Herald uses GitHub history plus AI to turn commits and pull requests into editable release...

Description The AI gold rush is hitting its first real hangover. In Episode 12 of Not Brothers, Mark and Ryan talk through the gap between what AI companies promised, what executives bought into, and what the tools are actually proving they can do. The conversation starts with cloud-license cancellations, token spend, AI data-center bets, and the realization that “AI will solve everything” is not...

AI can make building products faster. It does not make people care. Distribution, trust, and attention are still the real game. Description Building software is easier than ever. Getting anyone to care is still the hard part. In Episode 11 of Not Brothers, Mark and Ryan dig into the modern version of “if you build it, they will come” — and why that idea breaks down fast in an AI-driven product wor...

Does AI make us dumber, or does it just move the line between what humans need to know and what tools can handle? In Episode 10 of Not Brothers, Mark and Ryan pick up the thread from their previous conversation about AI in education and push it further: if AI can write the paper, build the CLI app, summarize the research, and automate the busy work, what exactly are humans supposed to learn, pract...

The conversation delves into the ethical implications of AI use in academia, particularly in the context of overuse patterns and the balance between critical thinking and plagiarism. It also explores the role of AI as a tool in education and the challenges associated with setting boundaries and rules for its use. The conversation delves into the impact of AI on academia, particularly in the contex...

In this episode of the Not Brothers Podcast , Mark and Ryan dig into one of the most important questions for entrepreneurs: are you working in your business, or on it? Using Oodle’s long-running offsite rhythm as the backdrop, they break down how stepping away from daily execution creates space for alignment, strategic thinking, and better decision-making. They cover how their offsites have evolve...

The conversation explores the concept of Dead Internet Theory and the impact of agentic workflows on social networks. It delves into the future of human interaction on the internet and the implications of AI-first vs human-first product design. The conversation explores the integration of AI and human interaction, emphasizing the importance of AI in making human lives easier. It delves into the im...

Why innovation is difficult for small and medium businesses — and how AI is changing the game Key Themes 1. Innovation Requires Accepting Failure Innovation is like "setting money on fire" — but necessary for long-term wins Most experiments fail; the learning is the value, not the output R&D tax credits exist specifically because the government wants businesses to invest in uncertain outcomes...

Summary In this episode, Ryan and Mark discuss the latest developments in AI, focusing on the ongoing model wars, the emergence of OpenClaw, and the implications for SaaS companies. They explore the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI, the challenges of context management, and the potential for innovation in AI interactions. The conversation highlights the rapid evolution of AI technologies and the ne...

Summary In this episode, Ryan and Mark discuss the challenges and dynamics of meetings in the workplace, particularly in a remote setting. They explore the balance between synchronous and asynchronous work, the impact of open office environments, and the importance of unstructured time for creativity and productivity. The conversation highlights innovative communication strategies and the illusion...

Takeaways AI is evolving rapidly, with new models emerging frequently. Agentic models allow for more autonomy and longer task execution. Understanding the components of AI—agents, skills, and tools—is crucial. AI can enhance business processes, but human oversight is essential. Security risks associated with AI tools are significant and must be managed. CISOs and CTOs need to establish guidelines...

Summary In this conversation, Ryan and Mark discuss the ongoing debate of whether to build or buy software solutions for business needs. They share personal experiences and insights on the challenges and benefits of both approaches, emphasizing the importance of understanding organizational needs, iterative development, and the potential pitfalls of software purchasing. The discussion also highlig...

The conversation explores the impact of rituals in business, focusing on the effectiveness of off-sites, the value of transparency, and the significance of water cooler meetings. It delves into rituals that work, those that sometimes work, and those that don't work, providing insights into the impact of daily standups and status meetings. The conversation delves into the value of proximity in busi...