BeFreed
BeFreed is a San Francisco–based AI learning and editorial team focused on nonfiction, self-growth, business, science, and culture. Its notable work is the BeFreed platform, which creates personalized summaries, audio lessons, and book lists from books, research, podcasts, and expert talks. The company reports 50,000+ titles and a global community of one million learners.
Biography & Author's Journey
BeFreed is best understood as a founder-led editorial and learning brand rather than a conventional single author. The project grew out of the careers of co-founders Jisong Liu and Jiaying Yang, both Columbia-trained engineers who previously worked in machine learning. Liu studied computer engineering at Shandong University before earning a master’s in computer science at Columbia and later worked at Google and Pinterest, while Yang studied electrical engineering at Fudan University and Columbia and later worked at Pinterest and Zurich North America. The company describes itself as San Francisco-based, founded in 2024, with a mission to make learning simple and joyful in the age of AI. ((https://theorg.com/org/uphonest-capital/org-chart/jisong-l))
Quotes
You May Also Like
Popular Books
Sleep Science Secrets
BeFreed
Discover sleep secrets for sharper days and restful nights
The Sweet Science of Revenge
BeFreed
Neuroscience reveals why revenge feels good and how to stop.
Ukraine's Hidden Resilience
BeFreed
Ukraine's resilience: living, adapting, surviving through endless war.
Breaking the Chains
BeFreed
Willpower fails - brain science, connection, and proven strategies empower recovery.
The Power Paradox
BeFreed
Authentic female leadership: navigating bias with evidence-based strategies.
The Evolution of Friendship
BeFreed
Friendship rewires biology: science proves connection is essential for health.
Building Mental Resilience in Children
BeFreed
Science-backed strategies for raising resilient children in today's world.
Mind Games
BeFreed
How tech giants engineer addiction through psychological manipulation.
Belgium
BeFreed
Belgium: Small nation's density and constraints fuel remarkable innovation.
Depression
BeFreed
Depression: causes, connections, and evidence-based paths to recovery.
El Capitan's Master Blueprint
BeFreed
Mastering fear through meticulous preparation for impossible challenges.
Workspace Design Secrets
BeFreed
Environment design secrets for peak productivity and creativity.
Sleep Science Secrets
BeFreed
Discover sleep secrets for sharper days and restful nights
The Sweet Science of Revenge
BeFreed
Neuroscience reveals why revenge feels good and how to stop.
Ukraine's Hidden Resilience
BeFreed
Ukraine's resilience: living, adapting, surviving through endless war.
Breaking the Chains
BeFreed
Willpower fails - brain science, connection, and proven strategies empower recovery.
Discover more
BeFreed Podcast: West African Textile Trade
This plan provides a critical look at the intersection of African heritage, colonial history, and modern commerce. It is essential for entrepreneurs, fashion historians, and supply chain professionals seeking to build ethical textile businesses.
Create personalized educational podcasts
This program bridges the gap between technical audio production and advanced learning science. It is ideal for educators, instructional designers, and content creators looking to leverage AI for truly personalized, narrative-driven educational experiences.
The Dangerous Art of Living Free
This plan is designed for individuals seeking to break free from societal conformity and internal dependency. It bridges the gap between Eastern and Western philosophy to provide a rigorous framework for those who value intellectual depth and personal sovereignty.
AI Content Side Hustle Blueprint
This blueprint is essential for creators and entrepreneurs looking to leverage generative AI for passive income. It bridges the gap between basic tool usage and building a sustainable, automated business model in the creator economy.
The Project of Becoming You
This learning plan is designed for individuals feeling disconnected from their daily lives or pressured by societal standards. It provides a structured framework for anyone seeking to bridge the gap between their current reality and their most authentic self.
The Rebellion of Routine
This plan is designed for individuals feeling disillusioned by modern productivity cycles or the search for ultimate meaning. It offers a practical application of existentialist thought, helping learners find profound freedom within their daily constraints.
Build Your Specialized Academy
As the digital education market matures, simple video hosting is no longer enough to stay competitive. This plan is designed for creators and entrepreneurs who want to leverage AI and behavioral psychology to build a premium, scalable learning business.
The Radical Self-Worth Blueprint
This blueprint is essential for high-achievers who struggle with chronic self-criticism and burnout. It provides a structured path to decouple identity from output, benefiting anyone seeking a more resilient and compassionate relationship with themselves.
Community Voices
"BeFreed makes it easy to get to 'aha': from question to personalized audio to deeper understanding, fast"
— Chris Messina
"BeFreed is an intelligent, AI-driven learning platform designed to make acquiring knowledge fast, fun, and accessible"
— Toolhunt
"BeFreed transforms books into accessible audio, allowing you to learn and digest information effortlessly through personalized content"
— HuntScreens
"BeFreed makes learning feel as natural and personalized as having a conversation with a friend"
— Xi.Z
"BeFreed transforms long-form content like books, talks, and research into personalized podcasts, summaries, and flashcards"
— Startup to Follow
"BeFreed has established itself as a seasoned player with proven staying power in the mobile app category"
— Trend Apps
"BeFreed is one of the best alternatives to Blinkist"
— MakeUseOf
"BeFreed is designed to fit learning into your busy life, transforming how you engage with information"
— AIToolnet
"BeFreed builds a complete learning experience from recommendation to AI-reshaped content and feedback"
— Huxiu
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
