How Steve Jobs became Steve Jobs
Summary
David Pierce interviews Jeff Kane about his new book, *Steve Jobs in Exile*, which explores Jobs’ transformative decade between leaving Apple in 1985 and returning in 1997. They discuss how failures at NeXT and successes at Pixar humbled Jobs, teaching him crucial lessons in execution, prioritization, and business pragmatism that shaped his later legacy. The episode also covers recent tech news, including Apple’s WWDC announcements, the Rivian R2, Nintendo Direct reveals, and NASA’s Artemis 3 crew.
Topics discussed
Intro and 90 Seconds: iOS 27, Siri AI, Rivian R2, Nintendo Switch 2
Sponsors and Main Story Intro: Steve Jobs' Wilderness Years
Jobs as an 'Agent of Chaos' and his difficult early management style
The Reality Distortion Field and Jobs' inability to run a mature company
NeXT Computer: Vision vs. Market Reality and Design Obsession
Sponsors: Upwork, Keeper, ProtonVPN, Rippling
Perfectionism pitfalls: The NeXT cube paint and green screen
Pixar Success: Learning to step back and let creatives lead
The Failed IBM Deal and Jobs' regret over ego-driven decisions
Becoming a Pragmatic Leader: The Microsoft Deal and Walled Garden
Personal Growth: Marriage, Family, and Long-term Vision
Return to Apple: Andy Rubin's Mentorship and the Executive Team
Outro, Listener Hotline, and Final Sponsor: Safe Driver
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