THE TRICKCAST: Boardroom Scholars & Magicians
The Trickcast is a podcast where business history, real-world hustle, and strategic magic collide. Hosted by Amir Abdelazim and Alexander Siletsky, it reveals legendary corporate plays and hard-earned personal lessons from global boardrooms and crisis zones. Each episode blends business history with practical tricks and occasional conversations with global leaders, ending with the question: 'What does this mean for the next generation of entrepreneurs?'
Episodes
Why Are AI CEOs BEGGING Trump to Regulate AI? (He Said No) -Ep. 28
SummaryWhy would the people building AI ask the government to slow them down?OpenAI, Anthropic and their researchers are calling for AI regulation, warning of risks up to and including extinction. Trump's answer, delivered live on a call with Nvidia's Jensen Huang: full speed ahead, and the US will not finish second to China. Alex and Amir set out to answer the question the headlines skip:
Apple iPhone Duo: Is John Ternus' $2,000 Bet Worth It? (Ep. 27)
SummaryApple's first foldable, the iPhone Duo, starts at $1,999 and was the centrepiece of John Ternus' debut keynote as CEO. Alex and Amir argue about whether it's worth it.Amir, a former telecom CEO, makes the case that Apple has run this play for twenty years: Nokia shipped the first touchscreen, Samsung shipped NFC years before Apple Pay, and Apple arrives late with the use case wo
Apple BANS Telegram?! WhatsApp AI + SpaceX IPO Explained (Ep. 26)
SummaryWhat happens when one company can make an app used by nearly a billion people disappear from your phone overnight?Alex and Amir unpack the temporary disappearance of Telegram from Apple’s App Store and the bigger power struggle behind it: privacy, moderation, censorship resistance and the growing influence of platform gatekeepers.They debate whether Apple is simply protecting the standards
Apple vs OpenAI LAWSUIT - EU Chat Control EXPLAINED - New FIFA Tech (Ep. 25)
SummaryWhat happens when AI companies move beyond chatbots and begin competing for the people, hardware and data needed to control the next computing platform?Alex and Amir examine the reported Apple vs OpenAI lawsuit, OpenAI’s push into physical AI and the increasingly blurry line between recruiting exceptional talent and acquiring a competitor’s intellectual property.They then unpack the debate
Female Tech Leaders who SAVED SpaceX, SHOCKED Trump's China Summit & BUILT Iraqi Telecom - Ep. 24
The world’s biggest tech companies are often associated with famous male billionaires, but the global infrastructure is actively being built, saved, and run by female tech leaders operating under extreme pressure.In Episode 24 of The TrickCast, Alex Siletsky and Amir Abdelazim are joined by Chra Hussain, Chief Commercial Officer at Asiacell, who shares her incredible 20-year journey of building a
2026 Tech Layoffs EXPLAINED - Firing Managers, Faking AI Pivots & Copying Microsoft (Ep. 23, Pt. 2)
The global AI arms race isn’t just changing how our phones work; it’s radically restructuring the workforce and corporate strategy from the inside out. The tech industry is going through a massive repricing event, and the old playbooks are being thrown out.In Part 2 of this special episode, Alex and Amir are rejoined by Pawel Mroczkowski, CEO of DBR77 and a 5x serial founder. Pawel brings his uniq
5x Tech Founder Breaks Down Apple's AI Failure (& what they MUST do now) - Ep. 23
Apple is facing a massive transition. Tim Cook is officially stepping down, and John Ternus will take over as Apple CEO on September 1st, 2026. But what does this mean for the future of Apple Intelligence, the M-Chip, and the global AI arms race? In Part 1 of this special episode of The TrickCast, Alex and Amir are joined by Pawel Mroczkowski, CEO of DBR77 and a 5x serial founder. Pawel brings his
The Artemis II Masterclass: Why Nixon Killed Apollo & The New Space Race (Ep. 22)
We are taking a break from the dark realities of global conflict to focus on an absolute triumph of human engineering: orbiting the moon for the first time in 50 years. The historical, financial, and technological masterclass that is the Artemis II mission marks the evolution of space travel from a Cold War propaganda tool into a commercially viable, multi-planetary business model.In this episode
The 1st AI War is HERE: ChatGPT 5.4 - Autonomous Drones - Iran Conflict (Ep. 21)
The 1st AI War is HERE: ChatGPT 5.4, Autonomous Drones & The Iran Conflict - Ep. 21We are officially crossing the threshold where the tech sector doesn't just influence geopolitics - it dictates it. Commercial AI like ChatGPT 5.4 is automating workflows, while the exact same infrastructure is being targeted in global conflicts. The line between enterprise SaaS and defense tech has evaporat
The AI Power Grab: Predictive Arrests, Neuralink, and the Death of Coding - Ep. 20
A 13-year-old kid types a joke into ChatGPT... and moments later, he’s arrested by authorities using predictive surveillance software. We are no longer approaching the world of Minority Report - we are living inside of it.In this special masterclass episode of The TrickCast, Alex Siletsky and Amir Abdelazim fuse their most profound conversations on Artificial Intelligence into one continuous journ
Is AI Killing SaaS? Anthropic, Cybersecurity & The Future of Tech (with Peter Larnholt) - Ep. 19
From hacking TV broadcast signals with an Amiga in the 90s to decoding the $1 trillion "SaaS-pocalypse," the AI revolution is fundamentally changing how we build and value technology.In this episode of The TrickCast, Alex Siletsky and Amir Abdelazim sit down with global technology leader and excom.ai investor Peter Larnholt to uncover the hidden economics of the AI boom. We discuss why f
Apple’s AI Strategy EXPLAINED (30 Years of Telecom Insight) - Ep. 18
From building Egypt’s first 3G network to Apple’s high-stakes pivot into emotional AI, the future of technology is as much about cultural nuances as it is about hardware.In this episode of The TrickCast, Alex Siletsky and Amir Abdelazim sit down with telecom veteran Yehia to uncover the hidden leadership tactics behind massive, nation-spanning tech rollouts. We discuss why localizing AI is the nex
The DARK Side of Tech in 2026: Social Media Ban, Iran's Blackouts, Robots - Ep. 17
Summary:From the massive rollout of Australia’s social media ban to Iran’s total internet blackout and the commercial launch of Boston Dynamics' Atlas, 2026 is exposing a darker, more controlled reality for global technology.In this episode of The TrickCast, Alex Siletsky & Amir Abdelazim go beyond the headlines to reveal how governments and tech giants are reclaiming control over the digi
2026 Tech Predictions - End of Screens, Nvidia’s Car Brain & The Chip War - Ep. 16
From retina projection replacing smartphones, to Russia’s brute-force "dishwasher" strategy for semiconductors, to Mark Zuckerberg’s quiet talent heist, 2026 is kicking off a massive "Agricultural Revolution" in AI. This week’s TrickCast exposes the physical reality of the future - where phones die, cars think faster than humans, and nations fight for computing survival.This ep
McDonald’s VS Burger King - Here's WHY Competition is Important...
Why McDonald’s Needs Burger King (and Why Founders Need Rivals)A new chapter of “The Art of Competition” - Episode 3: McDonald’s vs Burger KingHow did two fast-food giants spend decades fighting for dominance without killing each other off?In this episode of The TrickCast, Alex Siletsky and Amir Abdelazim unpack the legendary, symbiotic rivalry between McDonald's and Burger King – and the bigg
Netflix BUYING Warner Bros? OpenAI "Code Red" & Motorola's Secret War Tech - Ep.14
From the massive potential merger of Netflix and Warner Bros, to Motorola’s pivot into military-grade "self-healing" networks, to Sam Altman’s panic button at OpenAI, this week’s TrickCast exposes the hidden strategies defining the future of media, defense, and AI.This episode connects three industry-shaking stories:Netflix acquiring Warner Bros Discovery - A look at the "traumatize
Is Tim Cook LEAVING Apple? AirBus ALMOST CRASHED (again) & Crazy NEW Russian Drones - Ep.13
SummaryIn this episode, Amir Abdelazim and Alex Siletsky break down three major stories shaking the tech, aviation, and geopolitical landscape:A viral rumor about Tim Cook leaving Apple, and what it reveals about leadership, innovation cycles, and whether Apple is losing momentum without a visionary founder.A shocking Airbus near-crash triggered by a solar event, exposing how vulnerable modern air
Robots That FEEL? Qualtrics & NEO Just Changed the Robot/AI Game - Ep. 12
SummaryIn this episode, Amir Abdelazim and Alex Siletsky explore two massive breakthroughs redefining the future of robotics and human-machine interaction:NEO, a new generation humanoid robot designed for homes - and Qualtrics’ $6.5B acquisition of Forsta, giving AI the ability to measure human emotions at scale.They break down how NEO signals a shift from factory robots to empathetic companions t
Elon’s $1T Pay - Robot Doctors - EU Democracy Shield (EXPLAINED) - Ep. 11
SummaryIn this episode, Amir Abdelazim and Alex Siletsky break down three major stories reshaping tech and geopolitics: Elon Musk’s newly approved $1 trillion Tesla package, the rise of robot doctors and humanoid labor, and the EU’s controversial “Democracy Shield” aimed at policing misinformation across Europe.They explore whether Elon’s deal is visionary or reckless, why humanoid robots may soon
Tesla vs NVIDIA: The $1T vs $5T CEO Showdown (Elon vs Jensen) - Ep. 10
SummaryIn this episode, Amir Abdelazim and Alex Siletsky break down one of the most important tech leadership battles of our time: Elon Musk vs Jensen Huang — and what Tesla vs NVIDIA reveals about the future of AI, power, and innovation.They unpack Elon’s controversial $1 trillion Tesla compensation package, exploring whether it's visionary, necessary, or an ego-driven gamble. Then they contr
Egypt’s MEGA Museum | NVIDIA Hits $5T | Elon's $1T Paycheck | OpenAI Goes Corporate - Ep.9
SummaryIn this episode, Amir Abdelazim and Alex Siletsky connect the world’s oldest wonders with today’s most powerful technologies — tracing how human ambition evolved from carving pyramids to coding AI.They start with Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum — a modern engineering marvel preserving 5,000 years of innovation. From there, they move to NVIDIA’s record-breaking $5 trillion valuation, exploring
How Palmer Luckey is Turning Science Fiction into Reality | AWS Outage & AI in Space - Ep. 8
SummaryIn this episode, Amir Abdelazim and Alex Siletsky explore how Palmer Luckey, the visionary behind Oculus VR and Anduril Industries, is transforming science fiction into reality. They discuss the evolution of AI-powered defense systems, the engineering mindset behind Anduril’s innovations, and the moral implications of merging technology with national security.The conversation also unpacks A
SHOCKING Qualcomm x Arduino Deal (EXPLAINED)| Walmart’s 90 MILLION Sensors | Future of Edge AI
SummaryIn this episode, Amir Abdelazim and Alex Siletsky discuss the recent acquisition of Arduino by Qualcomm and Walmart's innovative deployment of battery-free sensors. They explore the implications of these developments for the tech landscape, emphasizing the importance of open source technology, the future of IoT, and the role of edge cloud in real-time decision-making. The conversation h
Trump vs EU Data Act EXPLAINED | AI Surveillance is HERE | OpenAI Crazy Valuation? (Ep. 6)
SummaryIn this conversation, Alex and Amir explore the growing tension between the EU Data Act and U.S. tech interests, including Trump’s pushback against European data regulation. They examine how government control, AI surveillance, and corporate power are shaping the future of privacy and innovation. The discussion expands to cover OpenAI’s meteoric $500B valuation, questions about AI ethics, a
Why Netflix Beat Blockbuster (and What Founders Can Learn)
A new chapter of “The Art of Competition” - Episode 2: Netflix vs BlockbusterHow did a tiny DVD-by-mail startup destroy a $5 billion empire?In this episode of The TrickCast, Alex Siletsky and Amir Abdelazim unpack the legendary rivalry between Netflix and Blockbuster - and the bigger lesson about innovation, timing, and killing your own cash cow before someone else does.We cover:The rise of Blockb
Airport Drones & Cyberattacks EXPLAINED | Meta Glasses Fumble | OpenAI Money Loop (Ep. 5)
SummaryIn this conversation, Alex and Amir discuss various topics related to technology, cybersecurity, and recent industry events. They delve into the implications of recent cyber attacks, the types of attacks that exist, and the importance of crisis management in the face of such threats. The discussion also touches on the emerging threat of drone attacks, the recent product launch by Meta, and
Oracle, OpenAI & TikTok: Larry Ellison's BIG Comeback - 4
SummaryIn this episode of The Trickcast, hosts Alex and Amir delve into significant developments in the tech industry, focusing on the recent OpenAI and Oracle deal, the implications of the TikTok and Trump-China situation, and the influential role of Larry Ellison in the tech landscape. They discuss the potential AI bubble, the importance of personal branding in investment, and the future of TikT
Tech Wars 2025: Subsea Cables Cut, China Innovates, Apple Plays Safe - 3
In this episode, Alex and Amir discuss the recent geopolitical tensions affecting subsea cables, the implications of technology sanctions, and the innovation landscape, particularly focusing on Apple and emerging startups. They explore how technology can change lives and the importance of maintaining internet neutrality.TakeawaysGeopolitical tensions can significantly impact critical infrastructur
Silicon Valley Showdown: Musk vs. Apple & OpenAI, Salesforce Layoffs (future of AI) - 2
In this episode, we dive into the latest tech drama as Elon Musk takes on Apple and OpenAI in a legal battle. We explore the implications of these lawsuits, the strategic moves by tech giants, and what it means for the future of AI and innovation.Episode 2 dives into the fights, pivots, and billion-dollar plays shaping the AI era. Three stories, one question: what lessons should entrepreneurs take
Trump’s Intel Deal, EcoStar’s Collapse & Meta Layoffs Explained - 1
💡 What do Trump’s Intel deal, EcoStar’s collapse, and Meta’s latest layoffs really mean for tech?In this full episode of The TrickCast, Alex Siletsky and Amir Abdelazim unpack three massive stories shaping the future of technology, business, and work.We explore:🇺🇸 Trump & Intel: How government involvement in tech could reshape the U.S. economy.📡 EcoStar/DISH: Why the transition from cable to t
Why Boeing is Losing (and Airbus is Winning)
A premiere for our upcoming season : The Art of CompetitionEpisode 1: Boeing vs Airbus ✈️ Is Boeing falling behind while Airbus keeps gaining ground, was it always the case?In this episode of The TrickCast, Alex Siletsky and Amir Abdelazim break down one of the biggest rivalries in business history – Boeing vs Airbus – and what startup founders can learn from it.Recent events have put Boeing under
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