In this deeply personal and insightful episode, Joel sits down with Ben Freeberg, Managing Partner at Oncology Ventures, to explore the intersection of venture capital, healthcare innovation, and the human experience behind cancer care. Ben shares his remarkable journey—from investment banking and early-stage VC to founding a specialist fund focused entirely on transforming the oncology landscape. Drawing on his own experience as a stage three cancer survivor, Ben offers a unique perspective on why the current cancer care system is broken, how technology and AI can bridge the gap in outcomes, and why he built a fund structured around the entire patient journey: early detection, treatment, survivorship, and the digital infrastructure powering it all. The conversation covers the nuts and bolts of fund formation, the power of specialization in venture, and the importance of community among emerging managers. Ben also opens up about his side career as a New York comedian, why laughter matters in serious rooms, and the emotional discipline required to build something from scratch. For anyone interested in healthcare venture, founder mental health, or what it really takes to launch a thesis-driven fund, this episode is both a masterclass and a reminder of why we do this work.

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