John Madden: The Unexpected Product Mind Behind a $4 Billion Franchise -- Looking Back

After more than a decade of stories, insights, and interviews from the world of tech, this is the final episode of Rocketship.FM… at least for now. In part one, host Mike Belsito opens up about the decision to hit pause on the show. Following the acquisition of Product Collective and diving deep into new responsibilities at Pendo and Mind the Product, time has become a rare commodity. And the little free time that is available? That’s now reserved for what matters most — family. Plus, let’s face it — Rocketship.FM was always more fun when co-hosting with Michael Sacca. But before signing off, part two of the episode revisits three of the most memorable episodes from over the years — moments that made Rocketship.FM what it is and remind us why storytelling in tech still matters. The show may be going on the shelf, but don’t unsubscribe just yet… you never know when a surprise episode might drop. Thanks for listening. It’s been an incredible ride.

You know the name. You’ve probably heard the iconic 16-bit theme. But what you might not know is that legendary football coach and broadcaster John Madden was more than just the face of a video game — he was its soul. In this special re-telling of one of our favorite Rocketship.FM stories, we revisit the incredible product journey of Madden NFL Football. From a fateful Amtrak ride in 1984 to a billion-dollar franchise played across generations, Madden’s insistence on realism and deep understanding of the "why" made him a true product visionary — even if he never carried the title. Whether you’re a football fan, a gamer, or a product leader, this episode will leave you inspired by the legacy of a man who proved that getting the details right can build something that lasts decades.

In early 2022, the hype around NFTs was at its peak, and Mike Belsito found himself caught up in the frenzy—so much so that he and a lifelong friend decided to go all-in on a historic digital collectible: a 1-of-1 NFT of the legendary 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card. With a max bid of $60,000, they were ready to make a play, but the auction didn’t quite go as planned. In this re-released episode, Mike recounts the excitement, the nostalgia, and the financial risks of the NFT gold rush. From the conversations with his friend and fellow collector to the surprising aftermath of the auction, this episode captures the highs, the lows, and the lasting lessons of an investment that never materialized. Plus, we explore what happened to that elusive Mickey Mantle NFT—and whether it was really worth it after all.

Failure isn’t just a headline—it’s deeply personal. In this special re-release of one of our most powerful episodes, we explore the emotional toll of failure and how product leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives can navigate its aftermath. From the wisdom of Will Smith’s "fail forward" philosophy to the hard-hitting insights of startup coach Jerry Colonna, this episode dives into what failure really means and how it shapes those who experience it. Host Mike Belsito gets personal, sharing his own journey through a "fail sale" and how redefining success helped him move forward. With stories, expert advice, and even a parting lesson from Michelle Obama, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who has ever faced—or feared—failure.

In early February 2025, Meta slashed 5% of its workforce—about 3,600 people—calling it a purge of “low performers” to sharpen up for an “intense” year ahead. Mark Zuckerberg says it’s about raising the bar, but some of those cut are clapping back with receipts: glowing performance reviews that don’t match the “bottom 5%” label. From leaked memos to public pushback on LinkedIn, this episode unpacks the disconnect—did Meta really target the weak links, or is this a headcount trim in disguise? Host Mike Belsito digs into the employee backlash and asks what’s really at play when a tech giant leans into stack ranking. But this isn’t just Meta’s story—it’s a window into a bigger debate: does the old-school “rank and yank” tactic still work in today’s tech world? We’ll explore how this move echoes Jack Welch’s GE playbook, why some ex-employees call it a “scarlet letter” on their careers, and whether regular performance purges drive innovation or just paranoia. With other giants like Microsoft testing similar waters, is stack ranking staging a comeback—or setting up a talent trap? Tune in for the scoop, the stakes, and a question for every founder: could this be your company’s next move?

Elon Musk and Sam Altman—once allies in the quest for AI advancement—are now at the center of one of the biggest tech rivalries of our time. From co-founding OpenAI together in 2015 to Musk’s eventual departure and criticism of OpenAI’s shift toward a for-profit model, the tension between these two Silicon Valley titans has only escalated. In this episode of Rocketship.FM, we explore the origins of their partnership, the philosophical divide that drove them apart, and the latest in their ongoing battle—including Musk’s nearly $100 billion unsolicited bid to take over OpenAI. What does this feud mean for the future of AI? Is it about principle, power, or something more? We break down the history, the court battles, and the latest moves that have kept this tech showdown in the headlines. Buckle up—this is one tech rivalry you don’t want to miss.

January 25, 2025, may go down as a pivotal moment in the AI race. Chinese AI company DeepSeek launched its latest model—one that rivals OpenAI and Anthropic but at a fraction of the cost. Investors panicked, Nvidia lost nearly $600 billion in value overnight, and industry leaders like Marc Andreessen called it "AI’s Sputnik moment." But is it really? In this episode, we explore DeepSeek’s rise, its impact on the AI landscape, and whether the U.S. is truly at risk of falling behind in the AI arms race. Featuring insights from Shelly Palmer, Reid Hoffman, and Sam Altman—this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

OpenAI is pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence yet again. In this episode of Rocketship.FM, we break down what Chief Product Officer Kevin Weil revealed about OpenAI’s roadmap for 2025 and beyond—including the latest AI model, O1, which is already outperforming previous versions in coding, math, and reasoning. But that’s just the beginning. We also explore OpenAI’s move into AI-powered agents designed to streamline everyday tasks, and the company’s rumored return to humanoid robotics. And what about Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and even Artificial Superintelligence (ASI)? OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has hinted that these once-distant milestones could be closer than we think. What happens when AI surpasses human intelligence? Will it be a utopia of limitless innovation, or are we opening a Pandora’s box we can’t close? Join us as we unpack OpenAI’s vision for the future—and what it could mean for the world.

In this episode of Rocketship.FM, we dive into one of the boldest AI initiatives ever announced: Project Stargate. Backed by tech giants like OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank, and MGX, this $500 billion venture is set to transform AI infrastructure in the United States. With President Trump championing the project from day one of his presidency, it’s being framed as a move to secure America’s leadership in artificial intelligence. But the stakes are massive—so is the controversy. While figures like Larry Ellison and Masayoshi Son are rallying behind Stargate’s potential, critics, including Elon Musk, aren’t holding back. From concerns about funding transparency to simmering tensions between OpenAI and Microsoft, we explore the power plays, partnerships, and political maneuvering that could define the future of AI. Will this unprecedented collaboration push the boundaries of innovation—or unravel under the weight of competing agendas? Tune in as we break down what this means for tech, the economy, and the geopolitical AI race.

In this episode of Rocketship.FM, host Mike Belsito dives into the story that’s shaking up the tech world: the TikTok ban in the United States. With a new year, a new administration, and growing geopolitical tensions, TikTok finds itself at the center of a national security debate. From bipartisan concerns over data privacy and Chinese ownership to the Supreme Court’s decisive ruling and President Trump’s potential role in TikTok’s future, this story has it all—politics, culture, and the fate of a billion-dollar platform hanging in the balance. We’ll unpack the key events that led to this moment, the ripple effects for creators and businesses, and the potential lifelines, like Kevin O’Leary’s surprising bid to acquire TikTok’s U.S. assets. What does this ban mean for the future of global platforms, and how does it redefine the intersection of technology and geopolitics? Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of this pivotal moment in tech history.