The Puck: Venture Capital and Beyond - podcast cover

The Puck: Venture Capital and Beyond

The Puck: Venture Capital & Beyond showcases the innovative forethought that defines the venture capital world. Join us as we follow the puck and explore what this community has to offer. Listen as we have in-depth conversations, gaining insights and lessons from well-established VCs, entrepreneurs, and other leading technology experts. We will learn about their successes, challenges, and how they got to where they are today. Along the way we will discover what investors most look for in who they invest in and what to avoid when making your pitch. We will also follow industry leaders to understand the cutting-edge technologies and trends that continue to shape our world.
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Episodes

Episode 77: Dr. Tommy Wood

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Dr. Tommy Wood, neuroscientist, researcher, and athletic performance consultant to talk about the human brain. They cover the relationship between diet and brain health, long-term cognitive function, and the real-world, practical steps you can take to keep your brain and avoid cognitive decline. You don’t want to miss it!

Apr 18, 202451 min

Episode 76: Navneet Govil of Softbank

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Navneet Govil, Executive MP and CFO of SoftBank Vision Fund. Their wide ranging conversation covers Navneet’s background, the history of SoftBank, the current state of the investment market, and the role of AI in today’s world. You don’t want to miss it!

Apr 05, 202440 min

Episode 75: Ash Beckham

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Ash Beckham, a self-described Accidental Advocate and author of Step Up: How to Live with Courage and Become an Everyday Leader. After Ash gave a 2014 TEDx Talk focused on “coming out of your individual closet” and opening up, she became a sought-after speaker and authority on initiating difficult conversations. She talks Jim through her background, polarization, and offers advice on how to engage with those with whom you may not agree. A fascinating co...

Mar 27, 202454 min

Episode 74: William Egginton

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Professor William Egginton, author of The Rigor of Angels – Borges, Heisenberg, Kant, and the Ultimate Nature of Reality. Their conversation covers the similarities underpinning both New Atheism and Religious Fundamentalism, accepting the reality of discomfort between different mindsets, philosophical paradox, the benefits of reason and evidence-based-arguments. You don’t want to miss it!

Feb 29, 202457 min

Episode 73: Peter Berg of M12

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Peter Berg, Managing Partner of M12, Microsoft’s venture arm. Their conversation covers M12’s history, the relationship between M12 and Microsoft as a whole, and the current state of investing and AI. You don’t want to miss it!

Feb 08, 202438 min

Episode 72: George Bonanno

The word “trauma” seems to be everywhere. As part of our three-part series on mental health, we wanted to dive into the concept. George Bonanno is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at Columbia University's Teachers College and internationally recognized for his pioneering research on human resilience in the face of loss and potential trauma. On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Professor Bonanno to discuss his book, The End of Trauma How the New Science of Resilience Is Changing How We Th...

Jan 11, 202451 min

Episode 71: Joshua Coleman, Ph.D.

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Dr. Joshua Coleman. Dr. Coleman is an author and psychologist who specializes in contemporary families, particularly on the topic of estrangement. Their conversation covers Dr. Coleman’s research history, his most recent book, Rules of Estrangement, and how to heal intergenerational divides. You don’t want to miss it!

Dec 21, 202352 min

Episode 70: Henry Olsen

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with author and columnist for the Washington Post, Henry Olsen. Henry specializes in global politics with a particular focus on America and populism. Their wide-ranging conversation covers the roots of the modern populist movement, when Henry first noticed this shift, and where we are now. Henry’s insight allows us to use the lessons of the past to tell us more about the present.

Nov 30, 202355 min

Episode 69: Christopher Miller

This week, Jim has Professor Christopher Miller on the show to talk about something we all interact with but very rarely think about: microchips. Chris’ new book is called Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology. Their conversation covers the history of microprocessors, the current geopolitical implications of chip technology, and most importantly, what’s next.

Nov 02, 202350 min

Episode 68: Neil Howe

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Neil Howe, author, historian, and one half of the team, along with Bill Strauss, behind the Strauss-Howe generational theory initially explored in their books Generations and The Fourth Turning. As the title of his new book suggests, The Fourth Turning is Here. We thought, what better time to have Neil on the show? The subtitle of his new book is “What the Seasons of History Tell Us About How and When This Crisis Will End.” Give the episode a listen, an...

Oct 12, 202359 min

Episode 67: Demetri Kofinas

Earlier this summer, Jim sat down with Demetri Kofinas, media entrepreneur, financial analyst and the Co-Editor and host of Hidden Forces. Hidden Forces is a multimedia educational platform exploring the underlying forces that drive the most powerful changes we see in the world. Jim and Demetri discuss the current state of the economy and political discourse, as well as how Demetri shaped and continues to shape his own perspective, and sharpen his critical thinking approach.

Sep 19, 202344 min

Episode 66: Martin Gurri

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Martin Gurri, author – visiting research fellow at George Mason University and former CIA analyst who specializes in the relationship between politics and media. Their conversation touches on many topics, including Martin’s most recent book, The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millennium. A fascinating conversation you don’t want to miss!

Sep 12, 202352 min

Episode 65: Neil DeGrasse Tyson

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with author, educator, and astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tysonto discuss one of Jim’s favorite books of last year, Starry Messenger. Their wide-ranging conversation touches on Tyson’s personal journey to astrophysics, the current state of the American education system, and, of course, as someone who studies the stars, what compelled him to write a book about the happenings here on Earth. A fascinating conversation you don’t want to miss!

Aug 23, 202359 min

Episode 64: Curtis Chang of Redeeming Babel

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Curtis Chang, author of the book The Anxiety Opportunity, and host of the Good Faith podcast. Their wide-ranging conversation covers the nature and roots of anxiety, aspects of spiritual practice, and the role of religion in modern society.

Aug 02, 202343 min

Episode 63: Sarah Baldwin

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with life coach and Somatic Experiencing practitioner Sarah Baldwin to talk about the relationship between our nervous system and past experiences. They cover trauma, mental health, breath work, and attachment theory, while also diving into how – physically – our childhood experiences impact our lives today.

Jun 07, 20231 hr 3 min

Episode 62: Meera Clark of Redpoint Ventures

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Meera Clark of Redpoint Ventures, a firm focused on investments in seed, early, and growth-stage companies. They discuss Meera’s background, the current work Redpoint is doing, and Meera’s Substack called The Conscious Consumer.

May 25, 202330 min

Episode 61: John Andrew Entwistle of Wander

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with John Andrew Entwistle, founder and CEO of Wander, a young but rapidly growing proptech startup looking to challenge Airbnb. Over the course of their conversation, they talk about work-life balance, building community, how he got into the property business in the first place, and the current state of venture funding.

May 09, 202344 min

Episode 60: Shomik Dutta of Overture

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Shomik Dutta, former member of the Obama White House and managing partner of Overture VC, a firm focused on sustainable energy and climate tech. Shomik discusses the current state of innovation in sustainable energy through the VC lens, the improvements in material science, and the relationship between government and the private sector.

Apr 18, 202343 min

Episode 59: Mark Sherman of Telstra Ventures

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Mark Sherman, managing partner at Telstra Ventures, a venture firm focused on the emerging technology space. While the episode was recorded before the collapse of SVB, their conversation does touch on AI, lighthouse leaders, and the potential for downturns in the economic cycle. A prescient conversation that you don’t want to miss.

Mar 30, 202343 min

Episode 58: Professor Brad DeLong of the University of California, Berkeley

On this week’s episode, we have Professor Brad De Long of the University of California, Berkeley. Professor DeLong is an economic historian, as well as a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Department of the Treasury during the Clinton Administration. In light of the recent financial upheaval, we at The Puck felt that a certain amount of historical perspective could benefit our listeners. A fascinating trip through financial history that you don’t want to miss.

Mar 23, 202351 min

Episode 57: Joe Dormani of TR Ventures

On this week’s episode, we sit down with Joe Dormani, founding principal investor at TR Ventures, the investment arm of Thomson Reuters. In light of the recent advances in AI and the collapses of SVB and Signature, we thought it would be very prescient to revisit this conversation. A really interesting discussion considering the current financial landscape.

Mar 19, 202334 min

Episode 56 – Rana Foroohar - Author, Journalist, Financial Analyst

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Rana Foroohar, author, business columnist, associate editor at the Financial Times, and global economic analyst with CNN to discuss her most recent book, Homecoming: The Path to Prosperity in a Post-Global World. Their conversation covers the current financial situation, crypto, the era of globalization and a growing movement toward economic localization. A fascinating conversation you don’t want to miss!

Feb 07, 202348 min

Episode 55: Vanessa Bennett - Host of Cheaper Than Therapy & It's Not Me, It's You

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Vanessa Bennett – author, holistic psychotherapist, facilitator, and podcast host – as the two discuss mental health in the digital age. Bennett and her partner John Kim recently published the book It’s Not Me, It’s You, about breaking the blame cycle and strengthening relationships, and have also released an accompanying podcast series. Vanessa and Jim then talk about how Vanessa built her business from the ground up, the positive sides of media, spiri...

Jan 17, 202355 min

Bonus Episode 54 – Jim Baer

On this week’s special episode, Puck host Jim Baer is now the guest. Interviewed by former producer, Caitlin Lalezari, Jim answers any and all questions you may have about the current state of the economy – we cover inflation, Quantitative Easing, and the potential of a coming recession. A fascinating conversation about what Jim is seeing as a boots-on-the-ground financial professional.

Dec 06, 202237 min

Episode 53: Mike Green of Simplify Asset Management

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Mike Green, financial strategist and portfolio manager at Simplify Asset Management and lifelong student of the market and market structure. In addition to his traditional finance background, Mike is a public speaker and financial media voice who looks at societal factors and their potential to impact our collective economic futures. They touch on the current state of the US economy, population growth (or lack thereof), and intergenerational attitudes t...

Nov 17, 202254 min

Episode 52: Andrea Lamari Walne

On this week’s episode of The Puck, Jim sits own with Andrea Lamari Walne, partner at Manhattan Venture Partners, a venture firm focused on redefining liquidity options in the private market. MVP works with some of the largest private start-ups in the world to provide a secondary marketplace for employees to extract money from their business before they had traditionally been able to do so. She and Jim discuss Andrea’s journey as a founder, the current state of the American economy, and the regu...

Oct 27, 202252 min

Episode 51: Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, author, clinical psychologist, and professor at the City University of New York. They discuss her newest book, Future Tense Why Anxiety Is Good for You Even Though It Feels Bad, and the current mental health crisis facing young Americans today. A fascinating conversation you don’t want to miss!

Oct 13, 202254 min

Episode 50: Courtney McCrea of Recast Capital

On the 50th episode of The Puck, Jim sits down with Courtney McCrea, co-founder and managing partner at Recast Capital, a firm focused on investing in emerging founders in the venture space. Courtney explains how Recast invests in funds that are early in their own journeys, and the many things she’s learned in her decades in the business. They talk record fundraising over the last two years, the possibility of an economic downturn, and the increase in diversity in the venture world. She offers p...

Sep 23, 202244 min

Episode 49: Matt Cohen of Ripple Ventures

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Matt Cohen, Founder and Managing Partner at Ripple Ventures. An operator turned investor, Matt started Ripple Ventures in 2018 to bring his “operator-first” mindset to the early stage investing world. He and Jim discuss his background as a public market investor, and his hands-on approach to investing. At Ripple Ventures he also runs “The Tank,” an incubator space that helps connect Founders to the advisors and mentors they need to bring their ideas to ...

Sep 07, 202248 min

Episode 48: Professor Greg Walton

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Stanford University Professor Greg Walton, a social psychologist who specializes in studying the development of young people. Professor Walton works on what he calls “wise interventions” that can be implemented to help young people succeed. He talks about the myths surrounding our heroes, how a community can help build up its individual members, and how we can all be more effective communicators.

Aug 25, 202248 min
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