Imagine this: you’re juggling work, parenting, and a dozen group chats, and somehow, making plans with your friends feels like solving a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded. It’s a problem we’ve all faced, and it’s about to get a whole lot easier. Enter Rodeo (https://rodeorodeorodeo.com/welcome), an app designed to simplify the chaos of planning activities with the friends you already have. But here’s where it gets interesting—while dating apps and productivity tools dominate the market, Rodeo takes a refreshingly unique approach by leveraging AI to turn your social media posts, screenshots, or scattered ideas into actionable plans.
Founded by former Hinge (https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/30/22809684/hinge-voice-prompts-tiktok-shortform-audio-viral) executives Sam Levy and Tim MacGougan, Rodeo was born out of the frustration of trying to coordinate with friends in an increasingly busy world. Think about it: how many times has a great idea for a night out gotten lost in the shuffle of texts, emails, or Instagram posts? Rodeo solves this by acting as your personal planning assistant. For example, if you spot an Instagram ad for a new movie, simply upload a screenshot, and Rodeo will find nearby theaters, showtimes, and even let you buy tickets—all in one seamless process. Plus, there’s a built-in feature to invite friends, making it easy to ‘wrangle’ them into your plans.
But here’s the part most people miss: Rodeo isn’t just about scheduling. It’s about curating your social life. You can create lists for future plans—like date night restaurants or a paintball outing with old college friends—and make them collaborative. Want your frat buddies to suggest the best local spots? Add them to the list, and let the ideas flow.
Now, here’s where it gets controversial: while Rodeo relies on AI to do the heavy lifting, its founders aren’t shouting about it from the rooftops. In an era where Americans are wary of AI encroaching on their personal lives (https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/780184/pew-research-americans-want-ai-out-of-their-personal-lives), Levy and MacGougan are playing it smart. But let’s be honest—it’s the AI that sets Rodeo apart. Sure, you could manually organize plans with a Gmail account, but Rodeo’s magic lies in automating the tedious parts: pulling event details, booking tickets, and sending invites. It’s like having a personal assistant without the awkward small talk.
That said, Rodeo isn’t afraid to borrow from the playbook of organizational tools like Notion or Obsidian. Levy calls it a ‘second brain’ for social planning (https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-ex-hinge-execs-helping-make-plans-with-friends-rodeo-2025-12), and it’s easy to see why. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the clutter of modern life, Rodeo promises to streamline your social calendar with the same precision you’d use to organize your work projects.
Right now, Rodeo is invite-only beta, but you can join the waiting list by downloading the iOS app (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/rodeo-save-it-do-it/id6753013160). And here’s a thought to leave you with: In a world where technology often isolates us, could apps like Rodeo actually bring us closer together? Let us know what you think in the comments—do you see Rodeo as a game-changer, or just another app in your crowded digital toolbox?
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Terrence O'Brien
