006 How to make the internet a better place, with KP

The Idea Junkies Podcast

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006 How to make the internet a better place, with KP

Building in public: how transparency, generosity and the long game drive success

Laura @ Idea Junkies

Mar 06, 2025

Transcript

Karthik Puvvada (KP) turned transparency into a superpower by building in public, growing online communities, and embracing permissionless giving. He shares how openly sharing your work accelerates growth, why helping others without expectation creates deeper connections, and why playing the long game is the key to success.

Episode 006 - Show Notes

Episode Title:

How to make the internet a better place, with KP

Episode description:

In this episode of The Idea Junkies Podcast, host Laura Richards is joined by Karthik Puvvada (KP), a builder, community leader, and advocate for building in public and permissionless giving. KP has spent years cultivating online communities, sharing his work transparently, and helping others navigate the startup and creator journey.

This conversation explores how building in public can transform not only your career but also your mindset. KP shares the lessons he's learned from launching multiple startups, growing an audience, and leveraging online spaces for meaningful connections. If you’ve ever wondered how to gain traction for your ideas or how to feel better when online, KP offers a wealth of insight.

We dive into:

Why building in public is a powerful way to accelerate feedback loops, engage an audience, and create stronger connections.
The concept of permissionless giving and how small, intentional acts of generosity can compound over time.
Why playing the long game is the real key to success in startups, content creation, and life in general.
The role of community in overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and how surrounding yourself with the right people can be a game-changer.
Why the biggest mistake founders and creators make is expecting overnight success rather than embracing the process.

If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, felt stuck in your creative process, or wondered how to make your online presence more impactful, this episode is for you. KP’s approach is refreshingly simple yet deeply effective; he proves that trust, generosity, and consistency can take you further than any growth hack ever could.

Episode breakdown:

Laura begins by introducing the topic of the episode and her guest, KP, highlighting his experience in building in public, online communities, and startups. KP shares his background, from launching side projects to his current work at Paddle, where he runs the AI Launchpad accelerator.

The conversation moves to the concept of building in public. KP explains how this approach helps founders and creators receive faster feedback, engage an audience, and refine their ideas more effectively. He shares his own experiences of launching projects and discusses why transparency builds trust.

Next, KP introduces permissionless giving - the idea of helping others without expecting anything in return. He shares examples of small yet impactful actions, such as engaging with people’s content, making introductions, and offering support, that can create a more positive online space and lead to meaningful connections.

KP then discusses the importance of playing the long game. He reflects on his journey of growing an audience and building trust over time, explaining why many people quit too early. He highlights how embracing a long-term mindset leads to sustainable success and deeper relationships.

As the discussion continues, KP and Laura explore the challenges of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. KP shares how joining the right communities (whether through mentors or peers) can provide the support and encouragement needed to push past limiting beliefs.

The episode wraps up with final thoughts from KP, who leaves listeners with a key takeaway: play the long game. Whether launching a startup, building an audience, or learning a new skill, patience and consistency will always win.

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