AI is flipping the script on venture capital, and Blair Garrou has a front-row seat to the transformation. Chuck Yates sits down with the Mercury VC partner to talk about how AI is slashing startup costs, reshaping investment strategies, and fueling a new era of lean, high-impact teams. From generative AI and robotics to fintech and space tech, this conversation dives into the trends reshaping the future of work, investing, and innovation. Plus, Blair shares his wild ride from scrappy angel investing to building a powerhouse VC firm, and what he sees coming next.

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00:00 - Intro
01:40 - Blair's Venture Capital Journey
07:05 - DFJ Mercury Investment Strategy
09:44 - Starting a Venture Fund Essentials
15:25 - Challenges in Fundraising
18:19 - Relative Investment Strategies
20:50 - Fundraising in Tough Markets
24:10 - Keys to a Successful Fundraising Pitch
26:40 - Importance of Roadshows
30:02 - Overview of Mercury Fund Today
32:10 - Investment Opportunities in Space
34:57 - Innovations in Generative AI
41:30 - Digital Wildcatters Insights
44:59 - Episode Conclusion
48:28 - Future Trends in Venture Capital
52:20 - Generative AI Deals Overview
52:44 - Key Vertical Insights for Investors
55:13 - Episode Wrap-Up

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Betrayal hits different when you're a guy, especially when nobody's talking about it. This episode cracks open that silence with the "Betrayal Shrink," a therapist who’s been through it himself and now helps other men navigate the gut-punch of infidelity, shame, and heartbreak. We’re talking about the real stuff: what it means to be vulnerable, how toxic masculinity screws with healing, and why sharing your story might be the first step toward getting your life back. Plus, he walks through a no-BS recovery model from his book that helps men rebuild without losing their minds, or their dignity.

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00:00 - Intro
04:58 - Cheating: Men's Experiences
08:07 - Overcoming Shame Through Words
13:47 - Embracing Vulnerability as Strength
17:19 - The Power of Surrender
20:44 - Seeking Help: Effective Strategies
25:20 - Patient Journey: Typical Recovery Arc
26:50 - MBT Recovery: Seven Healing Stages
32:15 - Self-Worth and Spirituality in Healing
40:24 - Breathing Techniques for Stress Relief
42:56 - Understanding Stress and Its Impact
44:39 - Men's Mental Health Considerations
45:26 - Connecting with Adam Nisenson
45:55 - Episode Wrap-Up

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Chuck stumbles into one of his most unhinged stories yet, something about a Russian defector named Kitcha, some midnight phone calls, a secret energy weapon, and oh yeah… Greta Thunberg might be Putin’s biggest problem? It’s part spy thriller, part geopolitical fever dream, and 100% classic Chuck chaos. There’s technetium, there’s nuclear waste, there’s even a voicemail or two that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about climate activists and global energy. Buckle up, this one’s wild.

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00:00 - Intro
02:02 - Email from Kitchka
04:52 - US LNG Impact on Russia
13:03 - Kitchka’s Carbon Capture Process
15:02 - Learning About Technetium
16:45 - Russian Use of Technetium
18:25 - Understanding Technetium
19:45 - Voicemail from Keetja

The Jones Act has been messing with American shipping for over a century, driving up costs, stifling competition, and forcing bizarre workarounds, like Hawaii importing oil from Africa instead of Texas. Chuck sits down with Colin Grabow from the Cato Institute to break down how this outdated law makes everything from groceries to gas more expensive, why it costs a mind-blowing $333M to build a U.S. ship when the same one costs $55M overseas, and what can actually be done about it. If you like policy takedowns with a side of sarcasm, this one’s for you.

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00:00 - What is the Jones Act
05:54 - History of the US Shipping Industry
10:32 - Impact of the Jones Act on Hawaii
14:47 - Momentum for Change
17:55 - Matt’s Celebrity Concert Idea
20:00 - Moving Natural Gas
22:21 - How to Fix the Jones Act
26:58 - Influencing Trump's Decisions
28:35 - Trump's Executive Order
30:39 - The American Maritime Partnership
31:06 - The Jones Act is a Failure
33:20 - Addressing Jones Act Stakeholders
40:00 - Wrapping Up
42:40 - Latest Insights
43:48 - Cato Institute

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Biden vs. Trump on energy policy, it’s a full 180°, and the oil and gas industry is feeling every bit of the whiplash. Chuck Yates sits down with Anne Bradbury, CEO of AXPC, to break down the shifting regulatory landscape, the battles over federal permits, and what it all means for America’s energy future. From infrastructure roadblocks to the role of AI in keeping the U.S. competitive, this conversation pulls no punches on the political tug-of-war shaping the industry.

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00:00 - Intro
01:15 - Biden vs Trump Election Analysis
03:34 - Preparing for a New Administration Transition
08:17 - Argument Against DOGE Cryptocurrency
11:07 - DOGE's Impact on Energy Policy
12:41 - Permitting Reform in Energy Sector
17:25 - Blunt-Nosed Leopard Lizard Conservation
21:39 - Wrap Up and Key Takeaways
24:05 - Industry Demands and Expectations
25:34 - Tax Reform in Energy Sector
29:15 - Federal Lands and Energy Development
32:36 - Achievements in a Year of Policy
36:42 - Achievements in a Year (Continued)
41:34 - Achievements in a Year (Continued)
41:56 - Removing Barriers for AI and Data Centers
42:30 - Gossip from S-Week Conference
45:58 - Energy Industry's Global Needs
48:30 - Last Visit to Washington, DC

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AI is hungry, like, really hungry, for energy, and with data centers popping up everywhere, the oil and gas industry is right in the middle of it. Live from NAPE Houston 2025, Chuck Yates unpacks what AI’s exploding power demand means for the grid, why natural gas might be the unexpected MVP, and how energy pros need to step up and start talking to the tech giants running the show. From permitting headaches to policy battles, this conversation cuts through the noise and gets real about the future of power in the AI era.

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00:00 - Opening Remarks
02:11 - Moderator Introduction
03:34 - Anne Bradbury
08:17 - Kathleen Sgamma
10:15 - Chuck Yates
12:14 - Biden Administration Expectations
17:28 - Oil and Gas Storytelling Importance
21:08 - Industry Advocacy Significance
26:35 - Reconciliation in Energy Policy
30:40 - Permitting Reform Challenges
33:50 - NEPA Reform Discussion
37:48 - Endangered Species Act Impact
42:30 - Tariffs in Energy Sector
47:30 - AI and Data Centers Insights
53:13 - Closing Remarks

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Natural gas, AI, and the future of energy, sounds like a wonky mix, but trust us, this one's worth a listen. Chuck sits down with the crew from Mobius Risk Group to break down why natural gas is the unsung hero behind AI’s growing power demands, how energy markets are shifting under the weight of geopolitics, and where the real opportunities lie in the scramble for reliable electricity. There’s talk of data centers, infrastructure bottlenecks, and why energy independence might not mean what you think it does. Plus, a few contrarian takes that might just change how you see the whole industry.

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00:00 - Intro
06:05 - Mobius Risk Group
08:31 - $4 Gas Prices Explained
12:39 - Europe’s Energy Crisis Overview
15:48 - Oil Production Limits
21:40 - Natural Gas Prices Drivers
27:50 - Future Energy Pathways
29:38 - Alex's Insights
32:14 - Regulatory Uncertainty Challenges
35:05 - Big Tech and Oil & Gas Engagement
39:15 - Future Energy Landscape
42:10 - Energy Poverty and Socioeconomic Impact
44:47 - Client Advisory Strategies
47:20 - Trump’s Energy Policy Analysis
53:18 - Future Energy Predictions
56:01 - Contacting Mobius Risk Group
56:55 - Missed Topics Discussion
1:02:50 - Nord Stream 2 Incident Analysis
1:05:50 - Outro
1:09:10 - Future Developments in Energy
1:12:40 - Refining Capacity Insights

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Houston’s energy scene isn’t just about oil and gas, it’s a wild world of startups, big ideas, and the uphill battle of getting funding in an industry built on tradition. Jason and Nada from Energy Tech Nexus join Chuck to talk about what it really takes to build an energy tech company in this city, from wrangling investors to breaking through the old-school mindset. They’re on a mission to turn Houston into a true innovation hub, connecting founders with the right people and resources to make things happen. Whether it’s venture capital hurdles, customer adoption headaches, or the hidden advantages of Houston’s energy infrastructure, they lay it all out, no sugarcoating, just real talk on what it takes to win in the energy startup game.

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00:00 - Intro
01:19 - Energy Tech Startups, Innovation
03:42 - Energy Industry’s Adoption of New Technology
06:45 - Innovation vs Invention in Energy
10:35 - Finding Your Initial Customer in Tech
12:41 - Overview of Energy Tech Nexus
15:00 - Revenue Model of Energy Tech Nexus
17:25 - Real Life Example of Energy Tech Nexus
22:30 - Houston’s Seed Ecosystem for Startups
26:20 - Funding Real Assets vs Intellectual Property
28:50 - Resources for Securing Funding
32:41 - Requirements for Series A Funding
35:29 - Coastal Investment in Houston Companies
37:38 - Insights on C3.ai
39:43 - Advice for CEOs in Energy Tech
41:54 - Impact of Colin’s A Round Funding
45:50 - Managing Culture During Growth
51:35 - Potential for a16z or Sequoia in Houston
54:00 - Rice University’s Entrepreneurial Spirit
1:00:33 - Colin Finally Gets a Job in Tech
1:02:55 - How to Connect with Energy Tech Nexus
1:04:09 - Chuck Yates Arm Wrestle Fund
1:06:20 - Herb Keller's Arm Wrestling Story

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Nuclear energy needs a serious PR makeover, and who better to brainstorm than Chuck Yates and Gabriella Hoffman? Gabriella’s an energy policy pro, an outdoor enthusiast, and a storyteller who knows how to cut through the noise. She and Chuck swap ideas on how to make nuclear cool again, think cultural icons, better branding, and maybe even a little humor. They also get into the bigger energy picture, from natural gas to renewables, and how conservation and energy production can actually go hand in hand. It’s a fast, fun, and surprisingly insightful chat about the future of power, both literal and figurative.

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00:00 - How They Met
06:30 - Background in Energy
11:49 - Energy Education Insights
15:40 - IWF’s Role in Energy Policy
18:40 - Making Nuclear Energy Attractive
23:01 - Supporting the IWF
29:17 - The Landmen in Energy
31:50 - Closing Thoughts on Energy
32:20 - Future Plans in Energy Policy
33:20 - Final Thoughts on the Discussion

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Leslie Warren once thought she’d be auditing fashion brands, but somehow, she ended up in oil & gas and she wouldn’t have it any other way. From her days as an accounting student at Texas A&M to navigating IPOs and acquisitions, Leslie’s journey is anything but predictable. She shares how she fell in love with an industry she never planned on joining, why energy marketing needs a serious overhaul, and how better storytelling could change public perception. Plus, we get into the Houston Producers Forum poker tournament, the quirks of industry camaraderie, and why petroleum products are way more important than most people realize.

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00:00 - Intro
00:40 - Leslie's Journey in Oil and Gas
03:51 - Leslie's Early Career Insights
09:18 - Midstates Petroleum IPO Overview
10:28 - Twitter's Impact on Energy
15:54 - Houstonian Lifestyle
17:38 - Role of a Landman in Energy
19:57 - Marketing Strategies for the Energy Industry
22:04 - Demi Moore's Influence in Pop Culture
25:58 - Comparing Rebecca and Demi Moore
27:19 - Ainsley’s Contribution to the Industry
30:53 - Getting Started in the Oil Industry
32:40 - Hurricane Harvey's Impact on Energy Sector
36:05 - Industry Gossip and Insights
39:40 - Challenges of Being an Audit Partner
42:10 - Greatest Inventions in Energy History
43:30 - Taylor Swift and Industry Affairs
45:50 - Telling the Energy Industry's Story Better
49:20 - The Role of Poker in Networking
52:57 - Houston Producers Forum Poker Tournament
54:18 - OUTRO

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