What’s it like to help build something that changes the world? In this episode, host Marcus Arredondo chats with Marty Weiner, a founding member of Pinterest and Reddit’s first CTO. Marty shares the ups and downs of growing startups, from small teams to massive organizations, while keeping trust and culture alive. He talks about leading during chaotic growth, the lessons he learned, and his latest project, VerifyU, tackling identity verification in the age of AI. Whether you’re dreaming of launching a big idea or just curious about the startup world, Marty’s stories and insights will inspire you to think differently. Don’t miss this chance to hear from one of tech’s most creative leaders!

Marty Weiner is a founding engineer of Pinterest and Reddit’s first CTO, where he scaled teams, built systems, and shaped company culture. With a background in Computer Science from Harvey Mudd College and a master’s from UT Austin, Marty is passionate about innovation and problem-solving. Now focused on his latest venture, VerifyU, he aims to tackle online identity challenges in the AI era. Marty also mentors and shares insights on leadership, technology, and the future through podcasts and public speaking.

Episode highlights:
[02:19] From Pinterest’s inception and its early struggles to success
[12:44] Navigating company growth and leadership
[20:56] How trust and culture impact company success
[27:38] Building engineering levels and behaviors
[32:21] Challenges of communication and culture
[36:44] Reviving Reddit, Truth, Bias, and challenges of online discourse
[48:49] Politics and Society: The problem of misinformation
[55:04] Truth Value: The power and potential of AI
[1:07:07] Introduction to “The Fourth Age” podcast and AI’s impact on society
[1:19:44] The rise of AI and its effect on industries like driving and coding
[1:27:30] Discussing VerifyU: Identity, AI, society, and accountability
[1:32:45] Daily routine and building innovation
[1:36:59] Outro