Episode · Lenny's Podcast · 2026-06-28

Lenny Rachitsky & Andrew Ambrosino: books mentioned on Lenny's Podcast

OpenAI Codex lead on the new shape of product work | Andrew Ambrosino

2 books · With Andrew Ambrosino · Listen · Watch on YouTube

Andrew Ambrosino leads development of the Codex desktop app at OpenAI. Nearly 100% of OpenAI employees—not just engineers—now use Codex weekly.

Andrew Ambrosino recommended The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater.

Books mentioned, in the order they came up

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1. 

   The Gruffalo

   Julia Donaldson · at 1:02:06

   The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson is a beloved children's picture book that tells the charming story of a clever mouse taking a walk through the woods and inventing a fictional monster to scare away predators, only to encounter the real creature.

   Recommended

   “There's one called The Gruff to my kids. Our kid just got obsessed with the Gruff. Yes. Uh we have like a a bedtime chart and now it's like pajamas, brush teeth, books, gruff uh on blankie.”

   Andrew Ambrosino OpenAI Codex lead on the new shape of product work | Andrew Ambrosino 2026-06-28 Listen at 1:02:06

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon
2. 

   The Big Orange Splot

   Daniel Manus Pinkwater · at 1:02:53

   The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater is a classic children's picture book about a homeowner who rebels against neighborhood conformity to express his unique personality.

   Recommended

   “My favorite children's book ever is a very old one and it's called The Big Orange Spot or some something along those lines. Look it up. It's great. Go get it. Um if you hate HOAs, go get it.”

   Andrew Ambrosino OpenAI Codex lead on the new shape of product work | Andrew Ambrosino 2026-06-28 Listen at 1:02:53

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon