In the latest episode of the Growth Leap Podcast, I had a great chat with Sharath Kuruganty. Sharath’s a serial maker, a successful SaaS founder, and a key player in various online communities. He’s the brain behind projects like Guest Lab, an AI research assistant that helps podcast hosts streamline guest research. You’ve probably seen his influence across platforms like Product Hunt, Draft Bit, On Deck, and Threado, where he’s been instrumental in driving community engagement. On top of that, he’s also the host of two popular podcasts: Undefeated Underdogs and YC Founder Stories.
We dove deep into the art of building authentic communities and audiences—a space where Sharath truly excels. We talked about the challenges podcasters face, especially when it comes to the often time-consuming task of guest research. That’s where his project, Guest Lab, comes in handy, offering a solution to make this process smoother. We also covered his use of no-code tools, his work with technical co-founders, and his journey through Y Combinator, sharing the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Sharath emphasized the importance of authenticity and intention when building communities and audiences. He broke down the differences between the two: community building is about creating many-to-many interactions, while audience building is more of a one-to-many relationship. He also shared strategies on how to connect with audiences and create content that truly resonates.
Throughout our conversation, Sharath’s passion for storytelling and sharing founder journeys was evident. He talked about his path to becoming a podcaster, the stories behind Undefeated Underdogs and YC Founder Stories, and some of the most compelling stories from his guests, like educator Anna Lorena Fabrega and entrepreneur Andrew Gazdecki. He also touched on the importance of asking great questions and really listening—a skill every podcaster needs.
Looking ahead, Sharath is excited about transitioning to a full-time founder role and starting a venture-backed startup. He’s got a clear vision of working with a small, remote team of top talent, all focused on building products and services that people genuinely want. His excitement about the journey ahead is truly inspiring.
"I firmly believe that founders should take the initiative to start a community themselves. Hiring someone just because you have the money to manage the community isn’t a great idea. They might not fully get your vision, and that could lead to failure. It’s better to build the community yourself first, grow it to where you have 50 to 100 active members, and only then consider bringing someone on board."
01:14 Guest Lab: From a Spark to a Full-Fledged Tool
03:28 Podcasting Pains and How to Overcome Them
05:03 No-Code Development: Challenges and Winning Strategies
08:50 Y Combinator: The Application and What’s Next
17:29 Sharath’s Playbook for Community and Audience Growth
26:31 Should Every Company Invest in Community Building?
28:16 Top Tips for Creating a Thriving Community
30:37 Why Founders Should Lead Community Building
31:50 Balancing Audience Growth with Daily Life
36:30 Sharath’s Podcasting Journey: The Inside Story
43:03 Unforgettable Podcast Guests and Their Stories
46:32 Podcasting Takeaways and Future Ambitions
49:03 Looking Forward: Goals and Final Thoughts
The podcast also highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability—key themes in Sharath’s career. His ability to pivot and innovate is a great reminder that success often comes from embracing change.
In wrapping up, Sharath’s journey offers a ton of valuable insights for anyone looking to build an authentic community or audience. His focus on authenticity, intention, and personal involvement is a solid foundation for any entrepreneur. As we wrapped up the conversation, it was clear that Sharath’s wisdom is a goldmine for anyone aiming to connect meaningfully with their audience and achieve lasting success.
Where to find Sharath:
Where to find Michel:
