The Technology Brothers Have Silicon Valley in Their Thrall. Now They’re Coming for You
By Julia Black | Photography by Ryan Pfluger | Fashion Editor Kat Typaldos
Published January 8, 2026
In the bustling heart of Los Angeles, a unique new force is shaping the way Silicon Valley—and beyond—consumes technology and finance news. John Coogan and Jordi Hays, known collectively as the "Technology Brothers," have carved out a potent niche in the venture capital and tech media ecosystem with their distinctly insider podcast, TBPN (Technology Business Programming Network).
From Cult Podcast to Industry Powerhouse
It was a typical Thursday at 4 p.m. when Coogan and Hays wrapped their daily recording for TBPN, their rapidly growing podcast that has become a must-watch and must-listen for tech elites. One quirky tradition underscores their show’s ethos: they ring a gong to celebrate fundraising triumphs by their start-up guests. But after breaking through two smaller gongs, even the hefty 36-inch version no longer seemed grand enough for their glamourous Hollywood soundstage.
Enter the idea of an 80-inch gong — a jaw-dropping, $40,000 price tag piece from Memphis — matching the duo’s willingness to spend big on unique props that amplify their tone of unabashed celebration and insider status.
“We drive expensive cars, wear luxury watches, and react to tech and finance news with unapologetic enthusiasm,” Coogan said, highlighting their distinct style where celebration of private equity, venture capitalists (VCs), and corporate victories is a core part of their persona.
A Blend of CNBC, Joe Rogan, and The Daily Show
Now over a year old, TBPN started as the Technology Brothers Podcast but swiftly evolved. The show melds the depth of CNBC’s Squawk Box, the conversational ease of Joe Rogan, and the sharp humor of The Daily Show, creating a fresh, approachable portal into the elusive world of Silicon Valley. Though available on platforms like YouTube and Spotify, their true home is X (formerly Twitter), where they transformed the platform’s timeline into a dynamic audiovisual experience filled with insider commentary.
Since rebranding to TBPN in March, the brothers curated a precise brand identity — mahogany wood symbolizing business, shades of green representing money, and a style reminiscent of Formula 1 racing gear fused with sci-fi elements. They operate out of an exclusive barrel-vaulted Los Angeles studio, decorated with a vast American flag, leather-bound editions of the Great Books of the Western World, and portraits of iconic investors like Peter Lynch and Charlie Munger.
The Tech Elite’s Go-To Stage
Appearing on TBPN has swiftly become a status symbol for Silicon Valley’s most powerful. The likes of Mark Zuckerberg, Marc Andreessen, and Sam Altman have joined the show, granting rare, uncensored interviews. OpenAI executives premiered exclusive content on TBPN following the launch of their GPT-5 model, offering a level of access rarely seen in mainstream tech journalism.
But the show also embraces the obscure—like Soham Parekh, an Indian software engineer whose exploits working across multiple start-ups simultaneously captivated the X audience. This blend of A-list guests with internet memes has catapulted TBPN into a phenomenon that wears insider culture on its sleeve, inviting fans into parasocial connections with the tech world’s most influential figures.
The Dynamic Duo’s Origins and Operations
Despite their nickname, John Coogan and Jordi Hays are not brothers but bonded by a shared zeal for capitalism and tech culture. Both are serial entrepreneurs: Coogan co-founded the cult favorite Soylent and nicotine pouch company Lucy; Hays started successful ventures including YouTube advertising firm Branded Native and fintech company Capital (formerly Party Round). Introduced in 2023 by a mutual friend, the two quickly launched their podcast as a way to channel the energy of Silicon Valley insider chats—less scripted, more spontaneous, and deeply networked.
Their formula for success beats competing shows that air sporadically or are produced by hosts distracted by other commitments. For Coogan and Hays, TBPN is a daily marathon—three-hour-plus live streams powered by VC-backed beverage sponsors and bespoke attire. They run with a startup mentality: scale at all costs, keep the content fresh and raw, and harness the power of community and call-ins.
Personas and Props: Part Comedy, Part Commentary
TBPN thrives on its seamless blending of content and comedic bits. Coogan’s height (six-foot-eight) lends him an affable, everyman vibe, often described as the “Cousin Greg” of tech. Hays is the polished style guru with a keen eye for aesthetics and impeccable hair, creating a distinct contrast between the two.
Their creative bits include donning a medieval helmet to present “steel man” versions of unpopular arguments or a tinfoil hat for conspiracy segments. The gong itself is emblematic of their approach: bold, theatrical, and a marker of tech culture victories. Through these props and playful banter, they tackle controversial topics with a wink, navigating the fine line between satire and serious analysis.
Behind the Scenes of Silicon Valley’s Insider Show
Their conversations reveal their deep embeddedness in Silicon Valley’s fabric—not just as reporters but as participants in the ecosystem. Both hosts boast multimillion-dollar exits and angel investments, texts on speed dial with the industry’s movers, and insider access to the most exclusive parties and boardroom deals, including those connected to investor Peter Thiel.
The pair master what they call “inside baseball,” referring casually to complex topics like AI research battles and funding deals with a jargon-rich fluency expected by their savvy audience.
What’s Next for the Technology Brothers?
With their ever-growing fanbase, including billionaire backers and industry heavyweights, Coogan and Hays show no signs of slowing. As they upgrade from 36-inch gongs to potentially larger-than-life bronze sculptures, their brand of unapologetic, celebratory tech commentary is charting new territories. They embody a new class of media moguls in the digital era where influence, entrepreneurship, and entertainment merge.
In the world of the Technology Brothers, Silicon Valley isn’t just a place—it’s their playground. And now, they’re coming for you.
For more about John Coogan and Jordi Hays, and to listen to TBPN, visit their official channels on YouTube, Spotify, and X.
