In this inspiring episode of Out of Office, Kartik Sathappan and Jack Dwyer sit down with Alex Mathew, a high school student at the experimental Alpha School and the teenage founder of Berry, an AI-powered stuffed animal that teens can talk to for mental health support.
Alex shares how his own struggles with therapy and school stress led him to build Berry, why he believes AI will replace traditional therapy, and how a cuddly plushie could help millions of young people reflect and build self-awareness. We dive into the science behind “transitional objects,” what’s wrong with online therapy, and why he’s designing Berry to push back instead of just validate.
We also explore Alpha School’s radical education model: three hours of AI-powered academics, no teachers, and afternoons spent launching real-world ventures. Alex explains how he balances building a startup with being a student and how Alpha helps teens find their passion and develop it to Olympic-level standards.
🐻 Learn more about Berry: https://berryplush.com/
🏫 Learn more about Alpha School: https://alpha.school
𝕏 Follow Alex: https://x.com/alxmthew
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𝕏 Follow Kartik: https://x.com/sathaxe
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Sponsored by Families Fund:
The first VC fund backing founders rebuilding education and health for American families.
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