Spite Is The Greatest Motivator with Watch Duty founder John Mills

This interview podcast features Simon Sinek interviewing John Mills, the creator of the wildfire alert app "Watch Duty." The conversation begins with Sinek recounting his experience using the app during the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires and then transitions into a discussion about Mills' motivation for creating the app, his decision to operate it as a non-profit, and the challenges of working within the non-profit sector. Mills emphasizes the crucial role of human volunteers in providing real-time, accurate information, contrasting this approach with the limitations of AI. The discussion concludes with reflections on the importance of service, the need for ethical behavior in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, and the potential for reimagining how charities operate to maximize their impact. A specific example highlighted is Mills' decision to publish extremely transparent financial data in his annual report, showcasing the app's cost-effectiveness.