---
title: The Thought Behind the Bot
teaser: 'In this special episode of the Giant Robots Smashing into Other Giant Robots
  Podcast, we take a look back on the founding of thoughtbot.

  '
tags: news,podcast
author: Chad Pytel
published_on: 2018-02-13
---

![](https://images.thoughtbot.com/blog-vellum-image-uploads/bdoERIbToCAIL0bvBqUz_thoughtbot-history.png)

Fifteen years ago we started thoughtbot. Many people don’t know that there are
five original founders. In [this special episode of Giant Robots Smashing into
other Giant Robots Podcast](http://giantrobots.fm/262), we go all the way to the
beginning and take a look back on the founding of thoughtbot and it's first
years, told from the perspective of all the original founders and some early
partners.

From our first meeting in college, to the dramatic first work-experience that
led us to create thoughtbot, to the eventual breakup and reformation, we explore
the events that led thoughtbot to become the company it is today.

This episode was enormous fun to put together, and we hope you enjoy it.

<iframe frameborder='0' height='200px' scrolling='no' seamless
src='https://embed.simplecast.com/7581f990?color=f5f5f5'
width='100%'><noframes>Listen and subscribe at <a
href="http://giantrobots.fm/262">giantrobots.fm</a> and <a
href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/giant-robots-smashing-into/id535121941">Apple
Podcasts</a>.</noframes></iframe>

Listen and subscribe at [giantrobots.fm](http://giantrobots.fm/262) and [Apple
Podcasts](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/giant-robots-smashing-into/id535121941).