Why does seriousness feel radical today? a16z General Partner Katherine Boyle joins The LaBossiere Podcast to explore what it means to build for the national interest—and why that starts with purpose.

Katherine, part of the American Dynamism team at a16z, shares how we got to a place where public service became uncool, how tech can help rebuild trust in government, and why suffering, friction, and responsibility are essential ingredients for growth. From the collapse of civic duty to the rise of meme-driven politics, they dig into the cultural forces shaping America—and the opportunity to reclaim a sense of mission.

They also discuss why Silicon Valley is more idea than place, what journalists and investors have in common, and why being laughed at might be the clearest sign you’re on the right path.

Timecodes:

0:00 - Intro

4:48 The Decline in Public Service

7:47 Making Government Cool Again

10:07 Silicon Valley’s Aversion to National Security

13:15 Positive Sum vs Zero Sum Cultures

16:27 China, Authoritarianism, and Doing Hard Things

19:27 What Makes America Special?

23:03 Silicon Valley and the “Real Economy”

26:28 Investing in Mature Markets

29:08 Vanna White and The Wheel of Fortune

30:27 Journalism and Loneliness

32:52 - Time and Suffering

38:10 - Seriousness and Purpose

41:11 - Is Culture Downstream of Technology?

42:48 - Propaganda and Coolness as a Strategic Asset

44:40 - Florida, Texas, and Regulatory Arbitrage

47:51 - DC, Silicon Valley, and Florida

50:20 - What Should More People Be Thinking About

Resources:

Find Katherine on X: https://x.com/KTmBoyle

Find Alex on X: https://x.com/adlabossiere

Listen to more from The LaBossiere Podcast:

YouTube: ⁠https://bit.ly/3QDLQFt⁠

Apple: ⁠https://apple.co/478Be6M⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://spoti.fi/3sfiFiE⁠

Stay Updated:

Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z

Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg

Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.