<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[LaunchFast with Bal Sieber]]></title><description><![CDATA[Use systems and frameworks to run your business, career, and personal growth.]]></description><link>https://www.launchfast.media</link><image><url>https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YbDb!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0b5f6d0f-cace-457a-a172-b82c96bc1479_1280x1280.png</url><title>LaunchFast with Bal Sieber</title><link>https://www.launchfast.media</link></image><generator>Substack</generator><lastBuildDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 13:31:30 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.launchfast.media/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><copyright><![CDATA[Bal Sieber]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><webMaster><![CDATA[balsieber@substack.com]]></webMaster><itunes:owner><itunes:email><![CDATA[balsieber@substack.com]]></itunes:email><itunes:name><![CDATA[Bal Sieber]]></itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author><![CDATA[Bal Sieber]]></itunes:author><googleplay:owner><![CDATA[balsieber@substack.com]]></googleplay:owner><googleplay:email><![CDATA[balsieber@substack.com]]></googleplay:email><googleplay:author><![CDATA[Bal Sieber]]></googleplay:author><itunes:block><![CDATA[Yes]]></itunes:block><item><title><![CDATA[Automate yourself with AI workflows: How to build systems that run themselves]]></title><description><![CDATA[Most people waste hours reinventing tasks they&#8217;ve already done a hundred times.]]></description><link>https://www.launchfast.media/p/automate-yourself-with-ai-workflows-e4a</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.launchfast.media/p/automate-yourself-with-ai-workflows-e4a</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bal Sieber]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 18 Sep 2025 21:46:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/174420764/e99a9065c8d8b79fee47f3c3ff3a6364.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Most people waste hours reinventing tasks they&#8217;ve already done a hundred times. The real unlock is turning your recurring work into repeatable systems: clear inputs, step-by-step processes, GPT prompts, and expected results. In this video, I&#8217;ll show you how to build templates that cut your work time in half, raise quality, and eventually let you hand things off without losing control.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The 3 roles AI can’t replace (and how to use them)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Subscribe to our newsletter: https://launchfast.guide/newsletterAI is replacing hands-on specialists fast.]]></description><link>https://www.launchfast.media/p/the-3-roles-ai-cant-replace-and-how-562</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.launchfast.media/p/the-3-roles-ai-cant-replace-and-how-562</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bal Sieber]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 12 Sep 2025 17:35:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/174420765/2667324176340f3ecca4447cad22c42f.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Subscribe to our newsletter: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqblFhdGQ2VDUxSkh0U2lHeWR4ZDV5NzRCNTV3Z3xBQ3Jtc0tuWjA1OHFOQnh0emFPZjRJa1QwVzR1VzJNZGtnR2p0ZXV6cXFjQ3JvSlNPQzBIWDVieE04LUJCcy1ZTEpzQkJyUVE0QVVTN1FNbnEtWEt2dHFrUHFOcnh6ampJLU9kY3pya1VTY2ZWYkNoQUdULU9kMA&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Flaunchfast.guide%2Fnewsletter&amp;v=YSpcSUOMRJM">https://launchfast.guide/newsletter</a>AI is replacing hands-on specialists fast. The future belongs to builders who can think like product managers, creative directors, and go-to-market pros. Here&#8217;s how to stack those skills and stay un-replaceable.Connect with us on other platforms:Instagram: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbklZQ01RYXlha29POTFXWS1zWF9nN08ySS05Z3xBQ3Jtc0trOVJUdjk4Sk1vQ2pmN2pyRVlWTDVuczNlaXFzc3BOU19jRWU5QVhFSU5mZnRoc2lwRmNKazVTNGJWNXRzb3p3WjRrMzk3U09sWTh5MXNjUG14c1VkZmljQXdCdFA4SUk1c1hkWVkxVy0xa29XUDZfbw&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fbalsieber%2F&amp;v=YSpcSUOMRJM">&nbsp;&nbsp;/&nbsp;balsieber&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWZ1RzU1Q1hQRWZ5WUt5QVdMTWZtMHEtdlk5Z3xBQ3Jtc0tsbTJYNkNQa0lINVJHWjM1c0VlRU5TVHhXeGxwaW9ld212bGNIc3FFT1A3N3F6eFluYkg3clM0Y2lhWjNMcGJ5bXRZdDJ6dU9XTWZkXzFITWEzQVN2MzdMaE9wbnRSdWozTThIMHRDSFRlakhiVmx1bw&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fbalsieber%2F&amp;v=YSpcSUOMRJM">&nbsp;&nbsp;/&nbsp;balsieber&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjVoNFNpX1JnSjNvNUFDNkI5Q0dqdDYwT3l0UXxBQ3Jtc0ttSEV2dXJfMlNxVTBRUk9pRHpQdmFnR19hbVNUeXRYNE1reDc5RUw2QTNKY0w4azZ1blFHcFZLUzFqSVlxRS1KSC10WlQ5QThCcDVIVWx1d0dXekNtMmdBb1RYNjRPSjhSVzk5ZXlvZ1ZoaVRHeHJENA&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast%2Flaunchfast-with-bal-sieber%2Fid1768975963&amp;v=YSpcSUOMRJM">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...</a>For business inquiries: support@launchfast.team<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSpcSUOMRJM">0:00</a> - The rise of AI generalists<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSpcSUOMRJM&amp;t=80s">1:20</a> - Product manager mindset as a foundation<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSpcSUOMRJM&amp;t=149s">2:29</a> - Think like a creative director in the age of ai<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSpcSUOMRJM&amp;t=229s">3:49</a> - How a Go-to-Market expert uses ai to launch fast<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSpcSUOMRJM&amp;t=320s">5:20</a> - The lethal stack, why specialists should worry<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSpcSUOMRJM&amp;t=390s">6:30</a> - How to future-proof yourself in the AI economy</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[5 AI habits that make using ChatGPT feel like cheating]]></title><description><![CDATA[Want to use ChatGPT like a pro?]]></description><link>https://www.launchfast.media/p/5-ai-habits-that-make-using-chatgpt-f62</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.launchfast.media/p/5-ai-habits-that-make-using-chatgpt-f62</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bal Sieber]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 04 Sep 2025 17:26:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/174420766/ac50683f5338a159c5acc9be03f005bc.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Want to use ChatGPT like a pro? These 5 daily habits will make AI feel less like a toy and more like your secret weapon. I&#8217;ll show you how to set it up, talk to it, and build systems that feel almost unfair.</p><p>Time stamps:</p><p>00:00 Intro</p><p>00:36 1. Make GPT one keystroke away</p><p>01:47 2. Talk to GPT, don&#8217;t just type</p><p>03:10 3. Train GPT to challenge you</p><p>04:21 4. Build templates, not just prompts</p><p>05:39 5. Put GPT inside your second brain (notion)</p><p>06:50 Summary</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[We tried using ChatGPT for user-testing. Here’s what happened]]></title><description><![CDATA[Can ChatGPT replace real user testing?]]></description><link>https://www.launchfast.media/p/we-tried-using-chatgpt-for-user-testing-950</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.launchfast.media/p/we-tried-using-chatgpt-for-user-testing-950</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bal Sieber]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 27 Aug 2025 23:27:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/174420767/ba82e20d06a040e3c9a38aefe6ecde5f.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Can ChatGPT replace real user testing? We put it to the test at Heatmap.com, our analytics tool for e-commerce revenue, by comparing ChatGPT against a remote user testing tool.</p><p>The results: AI can&#8217;t fully replace real users, but it&#8217;s a powerful way to speed up the design process, get instant usability critiques, and refine prototypes before testing with real people.</p><p>In this video we show exactly how we used ChatGPT to simulate novice and expert users, run A/B tests on prototype PDFs, and turn AI into a critique partner for faster product design.</p><p>00:00 Can AI replace your user-tests?</p><p>01:09 The limits of remote testing</p><p>02:15 How we put GPT to work</p><p>03:41 What GPT got right (and wrong)</p><p>04:43 GPT vs remote testing tools</p><p>05:23 Where AI really fits</p><p>05:59 Faster design with real users at the end</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[AI Agents vs SaaS: The Real Future of Software]]></title><description><![CDATA[Is SaaS really over &#8212; or just evolving into something new?Everywhere you look, AI is creeping into workflows, pricing models, and product strategies.]]></description><link>https://www.launchfast.media/p/ai-agents-vs-saas-the-real-future-90e</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.launchfast.media/p/ai-agents-vs-saas-the-real-future-90e</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bal Sieber]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 21 Aug 2025 18:03:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/174420768/e07cb95e50d8d1f507cc8d6fb75683b8.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Is SaaS really over &#8212; or just evolving into something new?Everywhere you look, AI is creeping into workflows, pricing models, and product strategies. Now the question isn&#8217;t just &#8220;What&#8217;s the next SaaS app?&#8221; but &#8220;Will AI agents replace SaaS entirely?&#8221;In this video, I break down why the SaaS model isn&#8217;t dead but mutating. AI is shifting tools from &#8220;we&#8217;ll help you do it faster&#8221; to &#8220;we&#8217;ll just do it for you.&#8221; That&#8217;s a fundamental change &#8212; one that could transform business models, competitive moats, and the way products are built.We&#8217;ll explore how agents stack up against SaaS, whether Microsoft&#8217;s prediction of &#8220;agents replacing apps&#8221; is real, and what it means for anyone building in 2025. If you&#8217;re a founder, designer, or just curious about the next wave of software, this is the one to watch.&#128073; Like, comment, and subscribe if you want more deep dives on SaaS, AI, and product design. And sign up for the newsletter at LaunchFast.guide to get the playbooks straight to your inbox.Hashtags: #SaaS #ArtificialIntelligence #AIagents #ProductDesign #FutureOfWorkTimestamps00:00 Is SaaS over? Or just AI-ified?00:41 SaaS isn&#8217;t dead. It&#8217;s mutating with AI01:43 AI agents vs SaaS apps: Who wins?02:46 The new moat: Data, not features03:50 SaaS 2.0 or SaaS&#8217;s obituary?</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[GPT 5 vs Elon Musk: The world’s most expensive pillow fight]]></title><description><![CDATA[Two tech empires are in a standoff: OpenAI + Microsoft vs Elon&#8217;s Grok&#8212; with Google, Anthropic, and Meta circling.]]></description><link>https://www.launchfast.media/p/gpt-5-vs-elon-musk-the-worlds-most-3d2</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.launchfast.media/p/gpt-5-vs-elon-musk-the-worlds-most-3d2</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bal Sieber]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2025 13:30:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/174420769/7717c3724541ff6dff5463fc404f7647.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Two tech empires are in a standoff: OpenAI + Microsoft vs Elon&#8217;s Grok&#8212; with Google, Anthropic, and Meta circling. This video breaks down what&#8217;s hype, what&#8217;s real, and what it means for your day-to-day work as a creator or founder.Stime stamps:0:00 The billionaires start playing battleship1:17 How to build a nuke out of algorithms04:47 Running a creative empire from the fallout shelter</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Figma’s AI is like a toddler with a crayon]]></title><description><![CDATA[Figma&#8217;s new AI tool, *Make*, looks like the future of design.]]></description><link>https://www.launchfast.media/p/figmas-ai-is-like-a-toddler-with-32d</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.launchfast.media/p/figmas-ai-is-like-a-toddler-with-32d</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bal Sieber]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:09:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/174420770/eb8589c8a33ccda16cb81e3ee343312e.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Figma&#8217;s new AI tool, *Make*, looks like the future of design. Until you actually try using it.In this episode, I break down why Figma&#8217;s AI isn&#8217;t ready for real workflows, how the hype is outpacing the reality, and why you&#8217;re not falling behind if you&#8217;re not using AI every day. Yet.We&#8217;ll talk about:- The difference between a demo and a product- Why Figma&#8217;s IPO glow-up doesn&#8217;t mean the AI is legit- What actual designers are saying after using it- The rise of creative generalists (and why that&#8217;s exciting)If you&#8217;ve been wondering whether AI is about to replace your job or just waste your time, this one&#8217;s for you.&#128073; Subscribe for more videos on design, creativity, and building smarter tools that *actually* work.&#129504; New content drops weekly at [https://launchfast.guide](https://launchfast.guide/)00:00 Introduction: Is Figma AI the Future?00:24 The Reality of AI Tools in Design01:21 Figma's Public Debut and AI Hype01:58 Skepticism and Real-World Application03:21 Figma Make: A Tech Demo, Not a Workflow Solution05:20 The Industry's AI Hype vs. Reality07:50 The Future of AI in Creative Work</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Brett From DesignJoy Did It. Why Can’t You?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Turning your services into a subscription sounds like the dream&#8212;but most designers end up stuck doing shallow work for forgettable clients, while AI creeps in to take the easy stuff off your plate.]]></description><link>https://www.launchfast.media/p/brett-from-designjoy-did-it-why-cant-721</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.launchfast.media/p/brett-from-designjoy-did-it-why-cant-721</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bal Sieber]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 01 Aug 2025 07:58:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/174420771/b42917006951eb16e2522ae33228bb99.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Turning your services into a subscription sounds like the dream&#8212;but most designers end up stuck doing shallow work for forgettable clients, while AI creeps in to take the easy stuff off your plate. In this episode, I break down the subscription myth, what&nbsp;<em>actually</em>&nbsp;works, and how to build a smarter, more sustainable productized service that clients&nbsp;<em>want</em>&nbsp;to keep paying for.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why fewer clients = more freedom]]></title><description><![CDATA[In this dispatch, I reveal how much I make as a product design consultant.]]></description><link>https://www.launchfast.media/p/why-fewer-clients-more-freedom-d3b</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.launchfast.media/p/why-fewer-clients-more-freedom-d3b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bal Sieber]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 10 Nov 2024 16:32:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/174420772/0c268ac498e14b4c3e4804d912319b08.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this dispatch, I reveal how much I make as a product design consultant. I compare the pros and cons of being an employee versus a contract consultant, and why I believe contract consulting is the best setup for designers who want more freedom and better income. I&#8217;ll also break down my ideal workday and share personal stories of success that might inspire you to rethink the traditional corporate climb.</p><p>00:41 Ideal Scenario</p><p>01:14 Contractor Vs Employee</p><p>03:05 Benefits of Contracting vs Employment</p><p>04:56 My Ideal Work Day</p><p>08:01 Subscription Model</p><p>11:05 Myth of the Corporate Climb</p><p>12:25 IC vs Management</p><p>14:50 Personal Story</p><p>16:46 Big Takeaway</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why the Vision Pro is a game-changer for remote work]]></title><description><![CDATA[Apple Vision Pro: Game Changer or Flop?In this dispatch of the LaunchFast show, we delve into the recent news surrounding the Apple Vision Pro and its halted production of version one.]]></description><link>https://www.launchfast.media/p/why-the-vision-pro-is-a-game-changer-418</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.launchfast.media/p/why-the-vision-pro-is-a-game-changer-418</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bal Sieber]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 05 Nov 2024 19:49:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/174420773/bc4c73cd2458bc0051bb6244712be622.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Apple Vision Pro: Game Changer or Flop?In this dispatch of the LaunchFast show, we delve into the recent news surrounding the Apple Vision Pro and its halted production of version one. Host shares their personal experience and how the Vision Pro has become an essential part of their life as a traveling professional. Despite criticisms of its price and comfort, they argue that for the right user, the Vision Pro is revolutionary. They compare its potential future to the trajectory of the iPad, emphasizing its potential to become a ubiquitous tool. The episode explores who the Vision Pro is ideal for, noting its benefits for digital nomads, minimalists, and those needing deep focus or immersive workspaces. It concludes that while the Vision Pro may be seen as a commercial failure now, its value for the right users could herald a broader acceptance in the future.00:04 Introduction00:51 My Personal Experience01:45 Productivity 02:38 The Vision Pro's Future 04:23 Two Big Complaints: Price and Comfort07:51 Work and Productivity10:27 Privacy and Meetings12:24 Entertainment: The Best Solo Experience13:55 Who Is the Vision Pro For?16:39 Closing Thoughts</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Coming soon]]></title><description><![CDATA[this is the best newsletter ever.]]></description><link>https://www.launchfast.media/p/coming-soon</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.launchfast.media/p/coming-soon</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bal Sieber]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 26 Nov 2022 23:55:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YbDb!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0b5f6d0f-cace-457a-a172-b82c96bc1479_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>This is Bal&#8217;s Newsletter</strong>, a newsletter about Masculinity.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.launchfast.media/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.launchfast.media/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>