Podcast
GROW by Good Combinator
Hosted by Good Combinator · EN
GROW by Good Combinator is the skills library for building AI-era ventures, products, and institutions. The flagship track is the Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) Certification — eight courses that take you from what an FDE is through running a practice as a founder. Each lesson pairs a working operator's method with a concrete artifact you can use the same day. Course 1: FDE Foundations is free. Hosted by Doug Liles, founder of Good Combinator and an elected Special District Commissioner in South Walton, Florida. New lessons drop Tuesdays. Start at goodcombinator.com/grow.
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[Course 8 Lesson 8.7] The Founder's Hiring Loop - GROW by Good Combinator
5d ago00:45:35Tap to summarizeThe founder's hiring loop for building a practice that runs without you.In Lesson 8.7 of GROW Course 8 (FDE Practice Founder), Doug Liles works through it with you. A founder-level hiring loop that builds a bench, not just a hire.What you'll take away- Hiring as a founder- The loop- Bench buildingChapters(0:00) Cold open & the promise(6:30) Hiring as a founder(13:01) The loop(19:32) Bench building(26:02) Onboarding to ownership(32:33) Scaling the loop(39:04) The artifact & what to do MondayStudy guide, slide deck, blog companion, infographic (free)- https://fde.goodcombinator.ai/lessons/FDE_Lesson_8_7Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM. Explainer video is human-produced.Public releaseThis full FDE Certification audio lesson is available publicly as part of GROW by Good Combinator.Continue in GROW Skills Library: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/libraryEpisode metadataShow: GROW by Good CombinatorCourse: Course 8 - FDE Practice FounderLesson: 8.7Season/Episode: 8/7Runtime: 45:35Access label: public-full-lessonSource channel: spotifySource audio: app/lessons/assets/course-8/8.7/8.7 Audio Podcast.m4aTaxonomy: Domain=Practice Founder; Career stage=Founder; Skill level=Founder; Asset type=Lesson; Outcome=FoundCRM events: course_started, lesson_completed, cert_enrolledTranscript and accessibilityFinal transcript required before launch: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/courses/course-8/lesson-8.7/transcriptAccessibility requirement: reviewed audio, clear title, descriptive show notes, and transcript availability before launch.Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM and disclosed here.CreditsHost: Doug LilesProducer: Good CombinatorAudio: NotebookLM AI narration (disclosed)
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[Course 8 Lesson 8.6] The Founder-Layer Partner Agreement - GROW by Good Combinator
6d ago00:46:51Tap to summarizeThe founder-layer partner agreement that protects the practice.In Lesson 8.6 of GROW Course 8 (FDE Practice Founder), Doug Liles works through it with you. The agreement terms a founder needs before scaling on partners.What you'll take away- Why it matters- Key terms- Protecting the practiceChapters(0:00) Cold open & the promise(6:41) Why it matters(13:23) Key terms(20:04) Protecting the practice(26:46) Negotiation(33:27) Red lines(40:09) The artifact & what to do MondayStudy guide, slide deck, blog companion, infographic (free)- https://fde.goodcombinator.ai/lessons/FDE_Lesson_8_6Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM. Explainer video is human-produced.Public releaseThis full FDE Certification audio lesson is available publicly as part of GROW by Good Combinator.Continue in GROW Skills Library: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/libraryEpisode metadataShow: GROW by Good CombinatorCourse: Course 8 - FDE Practice FounderLesson: 8.6Season/Episode: 8/6Runtime: 46:51Access label: public-full-lessonSource channel: spotifySource audio: app/lessons/assets/course-8/8.6/8.6 Audio Podcast.m4aTaxonomy: Domain=Practice Founder; Career stage=Founder; Skill level=Founder; Asset type=Lesson; Outcome=FoundCRM events: course_started, lesson_completed, cert_enrolledTranscript and accessibilityFinal transcript required before launch: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/courses/course-8/lesson-8.6/transcriptAccessibility requirement: reviewed audio, clear title, descriptive show notes, and transcript availability before launch.Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM and disclosed here.CreditsHost: Doug LilesProducer: Good CombinatorAudio: NotebookLM AI narration (disclosed)
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[Course 8 Lesson 8.5] FDE Practice Unit Economics & the 5-Line Tile - GROW by Good Combinator
1w ago00:44:03Tap to summarizeFDE practice unit economics and the 5-Line Tile.In Lesson 8.5 of GROW Course 8 (FDE Practice Founder), Doug Liles works through it with you. A one-tile model that tells you whether the practice actually makes money.What you'll take away- Why unit economics- The 5-Line Tile- Reading the tileChapters(0:00) Cold open & the promise(6:17) Why unit economics(12:35) The 5-Line Tile(18:53) Reading the tile(25:10) Levers(31:28) Stress-testing(37:46) The artifact & what to do MondayStudy guide, slide deck, blog companion, infographic (free)- https://fde.goodcombinator.ai/lessons/FDE_Lesson_8_5Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM. Explainer video is human-produced.Public releaseThis full FDE Certification audio lesson is available publicly as part of GROW by Good Combinator.Continue in GROW Skills Library: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/libraryEpisode metadataShow: GROW by Good CombinatorCourse: Course 8 - FDE Practice FounderLesson: 8.5Season/Episode: 8/5Runtime: 44:04Access label: public-full-lessonSource channel: spotifySource audio: app/lessons/assets/course-8/8.5/8.5 Audio Podcast.m4aTaxonomy: Domain=Practice Founder; Career stage=Founder; Skill level=Founder; Asset type=Lesson; Outcome=FoundCRM events: course_started, lesson_completed, cert_enrolledTranscript and accessibilityFinal transcript required before launch: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/courses/course-8/lesson-8.5/transcriptAccessibility requirement: reviewed audio, clear title, descriptive show notes, and transcript availability before launch.Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM and disclosed here.CreditsHost: Doug LilesProducer: Good CombinatorAudio: NotebookLM AI narration (disclosed)
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[Course 8 Lesson 8.4] Building the FDE Brand through Thought Leadership - GROW by Good Combinator
1w ago00:39:53Tap to summarizeThought leadership as compounding distribution for an FDE practice.In Lesson 8.4 of GROW Course 8 (FDE Practice Founder), Doug Liles works through it with you. A thought-leadership engine that compounds into inbound demand.What you'll take away- Distribution as an asset- The content engine- CadenceChapters(0:00) Cold open & the promise(5:41) Distribution as an asset(11:23) The content engine(17:05) Cadence(22:47) Proof over hype(28:29) Compounding(34:11) The artifact & what to do MondayStudy guide, slide deck, blog companion, infographic (free)- https://fde.goodcombinator.ai/lessons/FDE_Lesson_8_4Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM. Explainer video is human-produced.Public releaseThis full FDE Certification audio lesson is available publicly as part of GROW by Good Combinator.Continue in GROW Skills Library: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/libraryEpisode metadataShow: GROW by Good CombinatorCourse: Course 8 - FDE Practice FounderLesson: 8.4Season/Episode: 8/4Runtime: 39:53Access label: public-full-lessonSource channel: spotifySource audio: app/lessons/assets/course-8/8.4/8.4 Audio Podcast.m4aTaxonomy: Domain=Practice Founder; Career stage=Founder; Skill level=Founder; Asset type=Lesson; Outcome=FoundCRM events: course_started, lesson_completed, cert_enrolledTranscript and accessibilityFinal transcript required before launch: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/courses/course-8/lesson-8.4/transcriptAccessibility requirement: reviewed audio, clear title, descriptive show notes, and transcript availability before launch.Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM and disclosed here.CreditsHost: Doug LilesProducer: Good CombinatorAudio: NotebookLM AI narration (disclosed)
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[Course 8 Lesson 8.3] Selling FDE Services: Discovery-to-Signed-Pilot Funnel - GROW by Good Combinator
1w ago00:54:08Tap to summarizeThe discovery-to-signed-pilot funnel for FDE services.In Lesson 8.3 of GROW Course 8 (FDE Practice Founder), Doug Liles works through it with you. A funnel that turns conversations into signed pilots predictably.What you'll take away- The funnel- Discovery- ProposalChapters(0:00) Cold open & the promise(7:44) The funnel(15:28) Discovery(23:12) Proposal(30:56) Objection handling(38:40) Signed pilot(46:24) The artifact & what to do MondayStudy guide, slide deck, blog companion, infographic (free)- https://fde.goodcombinator.ai/lessons/FDE_Lesson_8_3Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM. Explainer video is human-produced.Public releaseThis full FDE Certification audio lesson is available publicly as part of GROW by Good Combinator.Continue in GROW Skills Library: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/libraryEpisode metadataShow: GROW by Good CombinatorCourse: Course 8 - FDE Practice FounderLesson: 8.3Season/Episode: 8/3Runtime: 54:08Access label: public-full-lessonSource channel: spotifySource audio: app/lessons/assets/course-8/8.3/8.3 Audio Podcast.m4aTaxonomy: Domain=Practice Founder; Career stage=Founder; Skill level=Founder; Asset type=Lesson; Outcome=FoundCRM events: course_started, lesson_completed, cert_enrolledTranscript and accessibilityFinal transcript required before launch: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/courses/course-8/lesson-8.3/transcriptAccessibility requirement: reviewed audio, clear title, descriptive show notes, and transcript availability before launch.Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM and disclosed here.CreditsHost: Doug LilesProducer: Good CombinatorAudio: NotebookLM AI narration (disclosed)
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[Course 8 Lesson 8.2] Pricing the FDE Engagement - GROW by Good Combinator
1w ago01:00:16Tap to summarizePrice the FDE engagement with conformance pillars, not day rates.In Lesson 8.2 of GROW Course 8 (FDE Practice Founder), Doug Liles works through it with you. Pricing models that capture value instead of selling hours.What you'll take away- Why not day rates- Pricing models- Conformance pillarsChapters(0:00:00) Cold open & the promise(0:08:36) Why not day rates(0:17:13) Pricing models(0:25:50) Conformance pillars(0:34:26) Packaging(0:43:03) Defending price(0:51:40) The artifact & what to do MondayStudy guide, slide deck, blog companion, infographic (free)- https://fde.goodcombinator.ai/lessons/FDE_Lesson_8_2Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM. Explainer video is human-produced.Public releaseThis full FDE Certification audio lesson is available publicly as part of GROW by Good Combinator.Continue in GROW Skills Library: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/libraryEpisode metadataShow: GROW by Good CombinatorCourse: Course 8 - FDE Practice FounderLesson: 8.2Season/Episode: 8/2Runtime: 1:00:17Access label: public-full-lessonSource channel: spotifySource audio: app/lessons/assets/course-8/8.2/8.2 Audio Podcast.m4aTaxonomy: Domain=Practice Founder; Career stage=Founder; Skill level=Founder; Asset type=Lesson; Outcome=FoundCRM events: course_started, lesson_completed, cert_enrolledTranscript and accessibilityFinal transcript required before launch: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/courses/course-8/lesson-8.2/transcriptAccessibility requirement: reviewed audio, clear title, descriptive show notes, and transcript availability before launch.Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM and disclosed here.CreditsHost: Doug LilesProducer: Good CombinatorAudio: NotebookLM AI narration (disclosed)
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[Course 8 Lesson 8.1] The Founder Identity: From Senior FDE to Practice CEO - GROW by Good Combinator
2w ago00:51:23Tap to summarizeFrom senior FDE to Practice CEO: the founder identity shift.In Lesson 8.1 of GROW Course 8 (FDE Practice Founder), Doug Liles works through it with you. The identity shift required to run a practice instead of a great engagement.What you'll take away- Operator vs. CEO- The identity shift- The Founder P&L IndexChapters(0:00) Cold open & the promise(7:20) Operator vs. CEO(14:41) The identity shift(22:01) The Founder P&L Index(29:22) Time reallocation(36:42) First moves(44:03) The artifact & what to do MondayStudy guide, slide deck, blog companion, infographic (free)- https://fde.goodcombinator.ai/lessons/FDE_Lesson_8_1Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM. Explainer video is human-produced.Public releaseThis full FDE Certification audio lesson is available publicly as part of GROW by Good Combinator.Continue in GROW Skills Library: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/libraryEpisode metadataShow: GROW by Good CombinatorCourse: Course 8 - FDE Practice FounderLesson: 8.1Season/Episode: 8/1Runtime: 51:24Access label: public-full-lessonSource channel: spotifySource audio: app/lessons/assets/course-8/8.1/8.1 Audio Podcast.m4aTaxonomy: Domain=Practice Founder; Career stage=Founder; Skill level=Founder; Asset type=Lesson; Outcome=FoundCRM events: course_started, lesson_completed, cert_enrolledTranscript and accessibilityFinal transcript required before launch: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/courses/course-8/lesson-8.1/transcriptAccessibility requirement: reviewed audio, clear title, descriptive show notes, and transcript availability before launch.Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM and disclosed here.CreditsHost: Doug LilesProducer: Good CombinatorAudio: NotebookLM AI narration (disclosed)
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[Course 7 Lesson 7.8] Course 7 Mastery: the FDE Practice Playbook - GROW by Good Combinator
2w ago01:02:34Tap to summarizeSystemize it all into an FDE Practice Playbook.In Lesson 7.8 of GROW Course 7 (Practice Management), Doug Liles works through it with you. A practice playbook that captures how your practice runs without you in the room.What you'll take away- The capstone brief- Codifying cadence- Codifying coachingChapters(0:00:00) Cold open & the promise(0:08:56) The capstone brief(0:17:52) Codifying cadence(0:26:48) Codifying coaching(0:35:45) Codifying hiring(0:44:41) Self-scoring(0:53:37) The artifact & what to do MondayStudy guide, slide deck, blog companion, infographic (free)- https://fde.goodcombinator.ai/lessons/FDE_Lesson_7_8Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM. Explainer video is human-produced.Public releaseThis full FDE Certification audio lesson is available publicly as part of GROW by Good Combinator.Continue in GROW Skills Library: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/libraryEpisode metadataShow: GROW by Good CombinatorCourse: Course 7 - Practice ManagementLesson: 7.8Season/Episode: 7/8Runtime: 1:02:34Access label: public-full-lessonSource channel: spotifySource audio: app/lessons/assets/course-7/7.8/7.8 Deep Dive Audio.m4aTaxonomy: Domain=Practice Management; Career stage=Manager / Senior FDE; Skill level=Advanced; Asset type=Capstone; Outcome=LeadCRM events: course_started, lesson_completed, cert_enrolledTranscript and accessibilityFinal transcript required before launch: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/courses/course-7/lesson-7.8/transcriptAccessibility requirement: reviewed audio, clear title, descriptive show notes, and transcript availability before launch.Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM and disclosed here.CreditsHost: Doug LilesProducer: Good CombinatorAudio: NotebookLM AI narration (disclosed)
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[Course 7 Lesson 7.7] Career Architecture: the IC vs. Manager Fork - GROW by Good Combinator
2w ago00:37:13Tap to summarizeThe Senior IC vs. Manager fork and how to architect the choice.In Lesson 7.7 of GROW Course 7 (Practice Management), Doug Liles works through it with you. A framework for making the IC-vs-manager decision deliberately.What you'll take away- The fork- Senior IC path- Manager pathChapters(0:00) Cold open & the promise(5:19) The fork(10:38) Senior IC path(15:57) Manager path(21:16) Architecting the choice(26:35) Revisiting it(31:54) The artifact & what to do MondayStudy guide, slide deck, blog companion, infographic (free)- https://fde.goodcombinator.ai/lessons/FDE_Lesson_7_7Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM. Explainer video is human-produced.Public releaseThis full FDE Certification audio lesson is available publicly as part of GROW by Good Combinator.Continue in GROW Skills Library: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/libraryEpisode metadataShow: GROW by Good CombinatorCourse: Course 7 - Practice ManagementLesson: 7.7Season/Episode: 7/7Runtime: 37:13Access label: public-full-lessonSource channel: spotifySource audio: app/lessons/assets/course-7/7.7/7.7 Deep Dive Audio.m4aTaxonomy: Domain=Practice Management; Career stage=Manager / Senior FDE; Skill level=Advanced; Asset type=Lesson; Outcome=LeadCRM events: course_started, lesson_completed, cert_enrolledTranscript and accessibilityFinal transcript required before launch: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/courses/course-7/lesson-7.7/transcriptAccessibility requirement: reviewed audio, clear title, descriptive show notes, and transcript availability before launch.Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM and disclosed here.CreditsHost: Doug LilesProducer: Good CombinatorAudio: NotebookLM AI narration (disclosed)
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[Course 7 Lesson 7.6] Difficult Conversations: the SCRIPT Playbook - GROW by Good Combinator
2w ago00:47:43Tap to summarizeThe SCRIPT playbook for the difficult conversations FDEs avoid.In Lesson 7.6 of GROW Course 7 (Practice Management), Doug Liles works through it with you. A named structure for the conversations that decide whether a practice is healthy.What you'll take away- Why FDEs avoid them- The SCRIPT structure- Running the conversationChapters(0:00) Cold open & the promise(6:49) Why FDEs avoid them(13:38) The SCRIPT structure(20:27) Running the conversation(27:16) Following up(34:05) Common failures(40:54) The artifact & what to do MondayStudy guide, slide deck, blog companion, infographic (free)- https://fde.goodcombinator.ai/lessons/FDE_Lesson_7_6Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM. Explainer video is human-produced.Public releaseThis full FDE Certification audio lesson is available publicly as part of GROW by Good Combinator.Continue in GROW Skills Library: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/libraryEpisode metadataShow: GROW by Good CombinatorCourse: Course 7 - Practice ManagementLesson: 7.6Season/Episode: 7/6Runtime: 47:44Access label: public-full-lessonSource channel: spotifySource audio: app/lessons/assets/course-7/7.6/7.6 Deep Dive Audio.m4aTaxonomy: Domain=Practice Management; Career stage=Manager / Senior FDE; Skill level=Advanced; Asset type=Lesson; Outcome=LeadCRM events: course_started, lesson_completed, cert_enrolledTranscript and accessibilityFinal transcript required before launch: https://goodcombinator.com/grow/courses/course-7/lesson-7.6/transcriptAccessibility requirement: reviewed audio, clear title, descriptive show notes, and transcript availability before launch.Audio companion is AI-narrated using NotebookLM and disclosed here.CreditsHost: Doug LilesProducer: Good CombinatorAudio: NotebookLM AI narration (disclosed)
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