The Panel

Big episode! Brian shares the results of his launch of Instrumental Components (sales numbers, and how he's feeling). He also talks about his next project: helping devs and teams navigate how to use AI in software development and design. This episode was recorded live, with tons of folks joining us in the "panel" chat. Adam Wathan ended up joining us last-minute to talk about how he's changed is m...

Justin just got back from a big trip to London UK for the podcast industry conference, and honestly, it's got him thinking about some big thoughts about the podcasting medium. This episode starts out with an honest chat between Brian and Justin: 'How are you feeling about the podcast so far?' Timestamps: (00:06) - Just the two of us (01:06) - The struggle with guests on a podcast (10:33) - What if...

Justin and Brian talk about how Brian's launch for Instrumental Components went. "Some things are way harder now that I'm older." Brian describes some of the technical challenges faced during the launch. There's also a meaty section about how much AI to use in software development (and how Brian uses it). At the end, Justin provides some feedback on Brian's pricing and marketing strategy. Timestam...

Justin is wrestling with strategic decisions for Transistor after hitting his initial "success goal," while Brian is two weeks away from launching a new Rails components product and grappling with how to reach his target audience. Timestamps: (00:06) - What are we talking about in this episode? (01:41) - The importance of a founder or CEO (05:40) - Learning about marketing from politics (18:27) -...

Jordan Gal is breaking the mold with his new startup Rosie . He's targeting non-technical small business owners using consumer-style marketing rather than the B2B approaches most SaaS use. He talks about the opportunities and risks with AI-based startups, and how he's waiting for the "dam to break." Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (03:42) - Using what I want to listen to to guide what I create (12:10)...

Adam Wathan sat down with Justin and Brian to talk about the challenge of staying motivated with your own business, even when you've "made it." However successful you think a well-known product or founder might be, the truth is everyone's dealing with stresses and challenges and things that don't work and figuring out what to do next. That's what this episode is about. The discussion also touches...

Brian Casel hosts a candid conversation with Val Sopi and Christian Genco about the realities of launching new SaaS products in 2025. All three founders are at pivotal moments in their entrepreneurial journeys, wrestling with what products to build next, how to balance consulting work with product development, and finding the elusive "founder-product fit" that makes building a business sustainable...

Marie Poulin and Aaron Francis join us to discuss the realities of building creator-driven businesses. We talked a lot about YouTube (they describe how each got traction there) and their current video making process. They also challenged conventional wisdom about sticking to one niche. For them, pivoting between projects keeps them fresh and prevents burnout, even when the traditional wisdom is to...

Peldi is the founder of Balsamiq and pioneered transparent business building in 2007. In this episode, he came to the Panel looking advice on "build in public." We invited Jay Clouse , of Creator Science , on to share his wisdom. Jay had tons of practical suggestions for SaaS founders looking to build community and build in public in an authentic way. Chapters: (00:08) - Introduction of The Panel...

Is web development still a good career choice in 2025? What's the future of open source? Justin and Brian dive deep with Taylor Otwell (Laravel) and Caleb Porzio (Livewire, Alpine.js, Flux) about the state of web dev, building a business on open source, and the anxiety of managing competition. Chapters: (03:31) - Should people still pursue web development as a career? (11:04) - Are we still excite...

Is bootstrapping a SaaS dead in 2025? How will AI affect software development as an industry? What's working when it comes to marketing? Justin Jackson ( Transistor.fm ) and Brian Casel ( Instrumental Products ) are joined by Colleen Schnettler ( SaaS Marketing Gym ) and Tyler King ( Less Annoying CRM ) to debate our predictions for the new year. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - What to expect 3:25 - Is SaaS Gett...

When it comes to bootstrapping and building software, there's rarely one correct answer. The secret to building better products, profitable companies, and a better life is knowing how to find the best answer for you . That’s the purpose of The Panel podcast. Join hosts Justin ( Transistor.fm ) and Brian Casel ( Instrumental Products ) in each episode as they bring together a panel of founders, sof...