Episodes

Dec. 9, 2024

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff on the "AI Labor Force," AI Bubble Risks, & Tech in the New Government

In this episode, Salesforce founder and CEO Marc Benioff sits down with Ann Berry to discuss the company's growing Agentforce product, valuations in the AI sector today and Salesforce's track record in start up investing. Ann also asks Marc if we will see him working with Elon Musk on DOGE, and whether Twitter / X is an asset he wished he'd bought. $CRM 0:00 START 01:54 The Impact of AgentForce 03:04 AI Bubble and Market Valuations 06:00 AgentForce in Action: Heathrow Airport 07:51 AgentFo...
Nov. 25, 2024

How AI Could Impact Your Credit Score with Upstart CEO Dave Girouard

In this episode of After Earnings, Ann speaks with Upstart CEO and co-founder Dave Girouard about how the company uses AI to assess creditworthiness. Dave shares insights on the limitations of FICO scores, Upstart’s data points, recent earnings, and growth strategies. $UPST 00:00 Start 00:25 Limitations of FICO Scores 00:50 New Approaches by Fintech Companies 01:42 Upstart’s Credit Assessment 02:22 AI and Creditworthiness 05:10 Addressing Bias in Credit Access 06:22 Upstart’s Macroeconom...
Nov. 12, 2024

Zoetis: The Major Player in the $500B Pet Market You May Not Have Heard Of

The pet industry is growing fast and could reach a global market size of half a trillion dollars by 2032. This episode looks at why people bought more pets during COVID, the trend of treating pets like family, and key public companies in the pet space, like Zoetis. Zoetis Executive Vice President and CFO Wetteny Joseph shares how the company works in both companion and production animal health. He talks about their top products, research investments, use of AI, and strong financial results. Desp...
Oct. 21, 2024

Airbnb: New Host Features, Unique listings, and International plans with CBO Dave Stephenson

In this episode of After Earnings, Airbnb’s Chief Business Officer and Former CFO, Dave Stephenson, spoke with Katie and Ann to discuss the company’s unique differentiation strategies, including exclusive listings and a co-host marketplace. He highlights innovative marketing initiatives, a shift from search engine reliance, and the company’s global expansion efforts. Amid regulatory and market challenges, Airbnb celebrates significant growth in rural areas and extended stays, showcasing its valu...
Oct. 14, 2024

Docusign: 1 Billion Users and Why CFO Blake Grayson Is Banking on Agreement Automation

In this episode of After Earnings, Katie Perry and Ann Berry talk with Blake Grayson, CFO of Docusign, about the company's shift from e-signatures to intelligent agreement management. Grayson discusses Docusign's new IAM platform, AI-focused acquisitions like Lexion, and global expansion plans. He also shares insights on financial performance, growth strategies, and how Docusign plans to innovate with its 1.6 million customers. Grayson wraps up by reflecting on his 11 years at Amazon. $DOCU 00...
Sept. 30, 2024

Affirm: Apple Partnership, Gen Z Appeal, & Investor Questions w/ COO & CFO Michael Linford

In this episode of After Earnings, COO & CFO of Affirm Michael Linford sits down with Katie to reflect on the outstanding Q2 performance for the popular Buy Now, Pay Later company. Linford shares the secret sauce that contributes to Affirm’s rapid growth and areas of opportunities to seize, such as key partnerships with Amazon and Apple. Also, some insight to why Affirm is considered one of the more popular methods of payment for Gen Z and where Affirm fits in the trend of AI. 00:00 - Welcome A...
Sept. 26, 2024

Arm: SoftBank Ownership, Licensing Growth, and Global Reach with CFO Jason Child

In this episode of After Earnings, Arm CFO Jason Child joined to talk about the company's growth since its IPO, its relationship with SoftBank, and its approach to AI. He shared insights on Arm's engineering culture, key partnerships with tech giants like Google and Microsoft, and how going public has impacted recruitment. Jason also discussed Arm’s strategies in mergers and acquisitions, as well as managing investor relations. $ADR 00:00 START 01:12 Understanding Arm's Role in the AI Value C...
Sept. 23, 2024

Pfizer: Oncology Breakthroughs, GLP-1 Weight Management and Strategic M&A Insights with CFO David Denton

In the latest episode of After Earnings, Pfizer CFO David Denton shares insights into the company’s achievements and future strategies with Ann Berry and Katie Perry. They discuss topics like acquiring Seagen, the use of AI in drug development, and ongoing initiatives in oncology and weight management. Denton addresses shareholder concerns about financial performance, emphasizing Pfizer’s dedication to innovation through significant investments in M&A and R&D. He also highlights the development ...
Sept. 16, 2024

Yext: The Inner Workings of the Internet, AI's Impact on Search, & Hype Cycles with CEO Mike Walrath

In this episode of After Earnings, Katie talks with Mike Walrath, CEO of Yext, about digital presence management. Mike explains how Yext helps companies keep their online info accurate, which is key for revenue and customer satisfaction. They discuss challenges from AI and the need for reliable data, plus Yext's recent acquisition of Hearsay and AI's growing role in business. 00:00 START 01:28 The Importance of Accurate Digital Data 03:30 AI's Impact on Search and Data Accuracy 06:56 Klarna'...
Sept. 9, 2024

Upwork: Navigating the Intersection of Fractional Work and AI Innovation with CFO Erica Gessert

Katie Perry sat down with Upwork CFO Erica Gessert to discuss trends shaping the freelance marketplace. With 38% of the U.S. workforce participating in freelance work, Upwork is positioned at the intersection of rising fractional workforces and AI advancements. They brokedown the benefits for enterprises, the growth of AI-enabled freelance jobs, and Upwork's strategic initiatives, including partnerships with OpenAI. $UPWK 00:00 START 00:41 The Rise of Fractional Work and AI 04:37 Benefits of...
Sept. 3, 2024

AI Supercomputing, Rural Development, and Data Centers with Applied Digital CEO Wes Cummins

On this episode of After Earnings, Katie Perry and Ann Berry chat with Wes Cummins, CEO of Applied Digital, about NVIDIA's latest earnings and how it's shaking up the tech world. They dive into what Applied Digital is doing with AI, the challenges of building data centers in rural areas like North Dakota, and the impact on local communities. They also talk about the future of AI supercomputing and what’s next for the company. 00:00 START 02:44 Applied Digital's Data Centers 05:46 NVIDIA's New...
Aug. 26, 2024

Duolingo: Growth, AI Tools, and What's Up With That Owl with CFO Matt Skaruppa

Ann Berry spoke to Matt Skaruppa, CFO of Duolingo, about the earnings and the company’s growing subscriber base, new products, and how that little green owl mascot came to be. Highlights include hitting 100 million monthly active users, innovations in AI integration, and Duolingo's mission to make education universally accessible. Are you heading to Duocon? $DUOL 00:00 START 01:04 Duolingo's Journey and Growth 02:28 The Importance of Language Learning 04:28 Innovations in AI and User Experi...
Aug. 19, 2024

GoDaddy: Beyond Domain Dominance with CFO Mark McCaffrey

Katie Perry spoke with Mark McCaffrey, CFO of GoDaddy, about the company's recent Q2 earnings report and future plans. Highlights include the company's transformation from a domain-centric business to a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurs, the impact of their AI product Airo, and the importance of free cash flow as a North Star. Mark also shares valuable career and leadership advice, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, vulnerability, and proactive mentorship in a remote/hybrid work environ...
Aug. 14, 2024

Shopify: Bridging Online and Offline Retail with President Harley Finkelstein

Katie Perry spoke with Harley Finkelstein, president of Shopify, about the company's recent growth and future plans following a strong Q2 earnings report. Highlights include Shopify's expansion to support large enterprises, 25% revenue growth, and strong international growth, especially in Europe. Harley also mentions the shift to integrated online and offline retail, the importance of executive personal branding, and partnerships with Amazon and Affirm to enhance merchant experiences. 00:00 ST...
Aug. 7, 2024

Tilray Brands: From Cannabis Pioneer to Beverage Disruptor with CEO Irwin D. Simon

Austin Hankwitz and Katie Perry sit down with Tilray Brands CEO, Irwin Simon, to discuss the company's evolution from a cannabis-centric business to a diversified portfolio of beverages and spirits. They explore Tilray's strategic acquisitions, its performance amidst regulatory challenges, and future growth plans. Simon provides insights into the company’s brand development, the pivotal shifts taken since 2018, and the strategy behind navigating the complex cannabis market. $TLRY 00:...
Aug. 1, 2024

Dynex Capital: REITs, Yield, and the Fed’s Next Move with co-CEO Smriti Popenoe

Katie Perry spoke with Smriti Popenoe, co-CEO, President, and Chief Investment Officer of Dynex Capital, about the company’s success, including surpassing a billion dollars in equity value and maintaining a dividend yield of over 12.5%. Smriti explained the basics of REITs, differentiated between equity and mortgage REITs, and highlighted Dynex's unique position. She also covered potential Fed rate cuts and the importance of yield in portfolios. Additionally, Smriti shared insights on leadership...
July 17, 2024

How e.l.f Beauty Succeeds Against Celebrity Brands like Fenty and Rhode with CEO Tarang Amin

Austin Hankwitz and Katie Perry spoke with e.l.f. Cosmetics CEO Tarang Amin about the company's impressive stock performance and innovative marketing strategies. They dive into e.l.f.'s history, expansion into skincare, and commitment to affordability and quality. The episode highlights the company's diversity initiatives, inclusive culture, and strategic use of data, concluding with Tarang sharing his entrepreneurial roots and core business lessons. (P.S. You will learn all about Austin's skinc...
July 10, 2024

Life360: Trolling TikTokers, Privacy vs. Safety, and the Future of Location Sharing with CEO Chris Hulls

Katie Perry and Austin Hankwitz interview Chris Hulls, CEO of Life360, an app for family location tracking. Chris discusses the company's strategies, including a successful TikTok campaign with 7 billion views, and their monetization approach, where only 13% of users are paid subscribers. He emphasizes Life360's core values, security measures, and plans for expanding services to seniors. Chris shares insights on his leadership style, influenced by his military background, and how he turned a tee...
June 26, 2024

Better: One-Day Mortgages, Interest Rate Woes, and How Not to Handle a Layoff with CEO Vishal Garg

In this episode, hosts Katie Perry and Austin Hankwitz interview Vishal Garg, the CEO of Better.com. The conversation delves into how Better.com is revolutionizing the mortgage industry by leveraging technology to streamline processes and reduce costs. Vishal emphasizes the company's mission to make homeownership accessible to a broader audience while focusing strongly on customer experience. The discussion also covers the challenges faced in a volatile market, their approach to regulatory compl...
June 19, 2024

Cava: Innovating Fast-Casual Dining, Pushing Love Buttons, and IPO Success With CEO Brett Schulman

In this episode of After Earnings, the hosts sit down with Brett Schulman, co-founder and CEO of the fast-growing restaurant chain Cava. They discuss Cava's journey from its founding to going public, emphasizing the strategic preparations and robust growth leading to its successful IPO. Brett shares insights on the company's focus on digital transformation, leveraging data, and maintaining strong in-store and digital customer experiences. Additionally, the conversation highlights Cava's commitme...
June 12, 2024

Visional: Business in Japan, Becoming a Yankees Partner, and Digital Transformation with CEO Swimmy Minami

On this episode of After Earnings hosts Austin Hankwitz and Katie Perry explore Visional CEO and founder Swimmy Minami’s journey and the rise of his company. They discuss Visional's use of AI in HR, its recent IPO on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and the differences between the Japanese and U.S. job markets. Swimmy also talks about Visional's plans for cybersecurity and other growth areas, his recent accolade from EY as World Entrepreneur of the Year, and his involvement with the Yankees. EY World ...
June 6, 2024

monday.com: Journey from Inception, IPO Preparation, to Future Growth with CFO Eliran Glazer

In this episode of 'After Earnings', Katie Perry and Austin Hankwitz interview Eliron Glazer, CFO of monday.com. Founded in 2012, monday.com helps businesses create no-code workflow tools and went public in 2021. Eliron discusses balancing user types, AI integration, sustainable growth, managing headcount, their Super Bowl ad, and future cash flow plans. The conversation also covers IPO preparation, investor relations, and long-term growth strategies. $MNDY 00:00 START 00:08 Meet Eliran Glaze...
May 22, 2024

Affirm: BNPL, Competitive Strategies, and Debunking ‘Phantom Debt’ with CFO Michael Linford

In this episode of After Earnings, Austin Hankwitz speaks with Affirm CFO Michael Linford, exploring the company's innovative financial products, focusing on the Buy Now Pay Later space, and its commitment to consumer financial health. The discussion highlights Affirm's strategic partnerships, revenue streams, and response to competitive challenges, as well as its approach to leveraging AI for customer service enhancement. Linford also shares his personal journey to Affirm, underscoring the comp...