September 2025
As we step further into the age of AI, I’ve been reflecting on something I’ll also be speaking about at the Responsive Conference next week: the irreplaceable value of trusted relationships in a world awash with information.
It’s never been easier to find answers. What’s harder—and more valuable—is knowing which answers to trust, how to contextualize them, and when to share them with others. That’s where communities like StartupExperts shine. We’re not just a knowledge base—we’re a circle of trust and perspective.
When we founded StartupExperts, we knew the name might sound bold. But it was never about being an expert in everything. It was about building a space where, collectively, you could always find someone who is an expert—or at least a few trusted peers who’ve been in your shoes and are willing to help. That’s the power of this group...it's a community of curated, generous, and rooted humans who have real-world experience.
In my talk next week, titled Finding Leverage: Collective Intelligence and the Rise of Cognitive Offloading, I plan on discussing how professional success in the AI era won’t hinge on how much we can personally remember or manage—but on how well we curate knowledge and tap into trusted systems. As AI tools and information flood our daily workflows, our ability to offload complexity to reliable networks—both digital and human—will be what elevates our clarity, creativity, and decision-making. Communities like this one become not just helpful, but essential.
🔵 If you’re in the Bay Area, I’d love to encourage you to come to the Responsive Conference next week. It’s one of my favorite gatherings—much more than your average conference. It’s two days filled with thoughtful people, provocative ideas, and space to explore the future of work, leadership, and learning. I’ll be speaking Wednesday afternoon, and immediately after, we’re hosting a happy hour across that promises to be truly amazing—live music, magicians, karaoke, and a few unexpected twists. Come join me.
🎟️ Thanks to a partnership with Responsive, StartupExperts members can get 50% off your pass. You won’t regret it. (Code: StartupExperts50)
Let’s keep leaning on each other, learning from each other, and investing in the relationships that help us not just adapt—but thrive.
With warmest wishes, Jesse
DISCLAIMER
The opinions in this newsletter are solely my own and don't represent any affiliated organization's views. Information is provided for general purposes only without warranties regarding accuracy or completeness.
