Shiv Rao loves a side quest.

Like in a video game, Rao is determined to chase after unexpected detours that aren’t connected to the main mission–at least, not obviously. Last year, the first time I had coffee in-person with Rao, CEO and founder of healthcare AI startup Abridge, he was on a particularly ambitious side quest. As we walked out into a balmy Santa Monica morning, Rao earnestly asked me: I’ve been trying to track down Rick Rubin. Do you know how to find him?