Traction Lab Podcast

If a startup launches in the woods and no one’s around to hear it… did it ever even exist? In this episode, JDM and Cam throw some serious shade at the myth of “build it and they will come” and make the case that nothing — literally nothing — matters if you don’t have a way to get in front of real customers. This isn’t just about launching. It’s about building a repeatable, scalable, and evidence-...

Nothing like fireworks, relighting fountains, and a dressage competition to get you thinking about your startup pipeline! In this episode, JDM and Cam dive into one of the most dangerous founder delusions: a sales pipeline full of polite maybes, false positives, and fantasyland follow-ups. Just because someone said “circle back next quarter” doesn’t mean they’re going to pay you next quarter—or ev...

This week, JDM and Cam unpack the sneaky trap of building custom solutions for every pilot customer and slapping a UI on top. The result? A startup that looks scalable on the outside but cries into its roadmap every night. To illustrate the difference between scalable platforms and barely-automated service businesses, the guys introduce a new game: Platform or Project? Also known (unofficially) as...

Founders love a good origin story. So do we — until that story ends in, “and then… nothing happened.” In this episode, JDM and Cam play a game where they evaluate startup anecdotes with one simple question: did you actually learn anything? They hosts take three real startup scenarios — full of MVPs, waitlists, Chrome extensions, and warm fuzzies — and rate each one based on whether the founder act...

Startup founders love to claim they’ve validated their idea — but did they run a real experiment, or just post on Product Hunt and call it proof? In this episode, JDM and Cam play a few rounds of “Validation or Vibes,” rating three common startup claims on a scale from 0 (pure vibes) to 10 (solid validation). Spoiler: nobody makes it past a 5, and one poor pilot gets dunked on so hard we nearly re...

Every founder wants to pour fuel on the fire—but what if your startup’s “engine” is actually a leaky bucket duct-taped to a lawnmower? In this episode, JDM and Cameron unpack the seductive myth that early traction equals readiness to scale, and why raising money too soon often leads to burning cash and good will in equal measure. Instead of celebrating vague signs of growth, they roast three start...

Think your early sales rejections are just “objections to overcome”? Yikes! This week, JDM and Cam tackle the most seductive lies founders tell themselves when prospective customers say things like “circle back in six months” or “we already have a tool.” Spoiler: these aren’t sales objections — they’re data points from a universe that doesn’t care about your pitch deck. Instead of smoothing over h...

Will AI fix your startup? Only if your real problem is a lack of buzzwords. In this episode, JDM and Cameron take on the all-too-common delusion that slapping AI on your pitch deck is a business model. Spoiler: it’s not. Join the guys as they roast three very 2025 startup ideas — each wielding AI like a glowstick in a boardroom — and assign each one a “Delusion Score” on a scale from “surprisingly...

Pricing isn’t just a number — it’s a strategic weapon. In this episode of Zero to Traction , JDM and Cameron play The Price is Right (or… very wrong), evaluating real startup pricing strategies and founder justifications. Spoiler: some of them are so bad we want to Venmo the founders $20 just to stop. * Why freemium often means “free regret, no revenue” * When your pricing signals value—and when i...

Some startup growth theories are a work of art. Others are a crime scene. This week on Zero to Traction , JDM, Cameron, and Cass put startup expansion plans under the microscope in Scalable, or Sketchy , where growth loops either pass the test — or spiral into oblivion. ✅ What real growth theory looks like (and what investors are actually looking for) ✅ Why “we’ll figure out premium later” is st...

Some founders ride the wave. Others scream “surf’s up!” in a parking lot. This week, JDM and Cam play a game of Why Now, or Why Bother? and put a few timing claims on trial. ✅ What makes market timing a legit advantage (and what absolutely doesn’t) ✅ The difference between early and too early ✅ Real timing signals vs. startup astrology ✅ Five real-life startup timing claims—analyzed, roasted,...

Not every founder ask is created equal — and in this episode, JDM, Cameron, and Cass go full Judge Dredd on a series of startup scenarios. It’s time to play: Reasonable Ask, or Fantasy Land? ✅ How to tell if your fundraising ask is realistic or just vibes and a dream ✅ Why “more money” is not automatically “better money” ✅ How bad milestone planning sabotages your future funding rounds ✅ Why B...

Founders love to say “MVP,” but too often they mean “Maximally Vague Product.” In this episode of Zero to Traction , JDM, Cameron, and Cass roast some real-ish MVP attempts in a game we’re calling Minimum Viable… Please! , where startups build too much, validate too little, and get gently (okay, not-so-gently) corrected. ✅ Why most MVPs are overbuilt bundles of assumption spaghetti ✅ The key dif...

Some go-to-market slides make investors lean in. Others make them fall asleep faster than a warm chamomile tea. In this episode of Zero to Traction , JDM, Cameron, and Cass rip into some fake-but-way-too-realistic GTM slides and play the game: Go-to-Market… or Go-to-Bed? ✅ What makes a go-to-market slide instantly cringe-worthy ✅ The difference between channels and strategy (please, for the love...

In this episode of Zero to Traction , JDM, Cameron, and Cass tackle the legendary Pirate Metrics (AARRR!) and turn real-world funnel fails into actionable fixes. ✅ What Pirate Metrics actually are—and why you keep mixing up “activation” and “acquisition” ✅ 4 real funnel fails and how to fix them like a boss ✅ How to diagnose where your funnel is leaking users (and money) ✅ Why a great value pr...

Welcome to the startup roast you didn’t know you needed. In this very special episode, JDM, Cameron, and Cass go full Gordon Ramsay on your worst elevator pitches, tagline jargon, and “AI-powered synergistic wellness disruption” nonsense. That’s right: we’re taking your cringe and turning it into clarity. ✅ Why your buzzword salad isn’t fooling anyone (especially investors) ✅ The difference betw...

You’ve got metrics. Shiny ones. Impressive ones. But are they actually telling you anything… real ? In this episode of Zero to Traction , JDM, Cameron, and your favorite digital co-host Cass step in front of the proverbial mirror to judge whether your startup metrics are reflecting actual progress — or just flattering delusions dressed up in glitter glue. ✅ When is a waitlist a sign of traction—a...

Hype is fun, but hypotheses get results. In this episode, Zero to Traction tackles the crucial difference between startup optimism and actual, testable assumptions. Hosts Josh David Miller (JDM) and Cameron Law break down how to turn your assumptions into actionable hypotheses, run meaningful experiments, and avoid the trap of just “seeing what happens.” ✅ Why hype alone won’t get you funded (or...

Traction—it’s the holy grail of startups, but what is it, really? More importantly, what isn’t it? In this episode, Josh David Miller (JDM) and Cameron Law dive into the nitty-gritty of what traction actually means for startups. They break down why founders often mistake distractions for traction, how traction evolves through the startup lifecycle, and what investors are really looking for when th...

In this unusually snarky episode of Zero to Traction, Cam and JDM dive into five signs that your startup idea… might be garbage. They address common pitfalls such as overestimating the market size, the dangers of comparing your idea to ‘Uber for X,’ and why verbal confirmations of interest aren’t enough. The episode also explores the importance of understanding your target market and ensuring genu...

This week, JDM and Cam are exploring the concepts of high-value versus low-value work, focusing on the importance of ‘doing reps’ — that is, running meaningful experiments and gathering data to drive real progress. They also delve into how startup founders can avoid simply ‘posing’ by making sure their actions are grounded in solid evidence. The episode includes insightful analogies from fitness a...

In this episode of Zero to Traction, JDM and Cam dive into the whimsical world of Chanchitos (three-legged pigs from Chile believed to bring good luck) and traction. This week, the guys tackle the crucial topic of moving meaningfully towards success, rather than aimlessly “hustling”. They emphasize the importance of being intentional, understanding customer needs, and avoiding the pitfalls of focu...

Apologies for the late release! This is actually last week’s episode, which didn’t drop due to technical difficulties. But, hey — bonus! — you get two episodes this week, you lucky dogs… This week, JDM and Cam record live and in person from their podcasting studio (Cameron’s office), cracking wise as they discuss transforming a startup from founder-only to founder-led and eventually to founder-les...

Ever panic while waiting to be introduced on stage? Of course not, and neither have we! (You’ll laugh later) In this episode of Zero to Traction, JDM and Cam dive headfirst into the art of handling Q&A. But don’t turn away just yet because it’s a lot trickier than it sounds. Join us as we discuss how first-time founders can navigate the tricky waters of investor questions, pitch competitions, and...

Zero to Traction is BACK, baby! JDM and Cameron Law are kicking off 2025 with a sassy bang (maybe that’s not the best phrase…). After a two-week hiatus, they’re diving headfirst into the gladiator pit of startup fundraising with the golden pyramid of pitching. (And a geeky reference to American psychologist Abraham Maslow) The goal of the hierarchy? Help you align your pitch with what investors ac...