Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan

This week, we dive deep into the heart of what drives us, as we reflect on an incredible conversation with returning guest Jessica Bedoya, Founder and Managing Partner of the LARA Fund—a private equity firm focused on infrastructure across Latin America. But this episode is about so much more than just private equity…

Jessica’s story lit a fire in us. She’s a true underdog—young, Latina, and leading in an industry historically dominated by the usual suspects. Her journey sparked a larger reflection on our collective love for underdogs—whether it’s Latin America, overlooked markets, or even our beloved, heartbreak-inducing Chicago Cubs.

Together, we explore what it means to bet on the underestimated: people, regions, opportunities, and even ourselves. We swap stories from our time in Latin America, dig into what makes her fund different, and connect the dots between personal roots and professional purpose.

This isn’t just an interview—it’s a layered, honest, and thought-provoking ride through identity, leadership, impact, and why rooting for the underdog might just be a calling.

So pull up a seat, press play, and stay for the full journey. We promise, this one’s worth it.

Think Latin America is too risky to invest in? Think women can’t lead in traditional Private Equity? Think again! In this episode Rob sits down with Jessica Bedoya, Founding Managing Partner of the LARA Fund, to reveal why the region is full of such untapped potential, in many countries that most investors regularly overlook. From booming sectors to cultural insights that matter, Jessica shares the real story behind the numbers and the relationships—and what it takes to succeed as both an investor and a trailblazing woman in a male-dominated industry.

Feel free to follow and engage with JESSICA here:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-l-bedoya-a556941b1
• X: https://x.com/jessicalbedoya
• Website: https://larafund.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

This week’s episode is one of those rare gems that hits deep, challenges your thinking, and leaves you feeling fired up and hopeful.

We sit down with Matt Schaar from Accion Venture Labs for a powerful and thought-provoking discussion on the real purpose of capital in today’s world. From his unlikely path as a rocket scientist to becoming an impact investor, Matt shares a journey that reminds us all that life isn’t linear — it’s a winding, purpose-filled adventure.

This episode is packed with insights that go beyond business-as-usual. We dig into how venture capital can be a tool for good, not just profit. We talk about leaning into inclusivity in difficult times, the undeniable economic power of women (yes, 40% of truck drivers in Pakistan are women!), and why thinking globally — in every sense — is the future of sustainable entrepreneurship.

If you’ve been feeling the weight of this year, especially as a founder, investor, or leader, this episode might be exactly what you need. Vulnerable, energizing, and full of perspective — it’s like an MBA for the soul.

Hit play, stay for the whole ride, and let yourself be inspired.

What if venture capital wasn’t just about profit, but about people? Does everyone need to raise Venture Capital? Wouldn’t you love to invest with purpose? In this episode, Rob sits down with his friend Matt Schaar of Accion Venture Lab, to unpack how investing in underserved communities, around the world, is reshaping the future of finance and how the Accion Group has been leading the way for more than 60 years. From empowering women entrepreneurs to bringing financial tools to the world’s overlooked populations, Matt shares his unexpected journey from aerospace to impact investing—and why understanding real human stories is the key to driving real change.

Feel free to follow and engage with MATT here:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattschaar
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_schaar_

• Website: https://www.accion.org

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

In this week’s extended Stoppage Time episode, we dive into reflections and fresh takeaways from my fascinating conversation with Scottish entrepreneur Chris Herd — the founder of Firstbase, which was recently acquired by AppDirect after raising millions in venture capital from top-tier firms like Sequoia and Andreessen Horowitz.

Joining us from his hometown of Aberdeen, Chris shares powerful insights on the future of remote work, building entrepreneurial ecosystems beyond Silicon Valley, and what it really means for a founder to exit a company. We also take a surprising historical turn, uncovering Scotland’s deep and often overlooked influence on the industrial and modern economic world.

This is more than just a conversation about startups and remote work — it's a thoughtful, personal, and at times philosophical journey through leadership, legacy, and the evolution of work over the next 50 years.

If you're into entrepreneurship, remote-first thinking, or just love hearing from passionate, grounded leaders who think big — this one’s for you.

So sit back, press play, and stay with me through the full episode — you’ll be glad you did. See you every Friday, right here, for more Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob.

What if the next big startup hub isn’t in the United States — but in Scotland? Are there lessons to be learned in how to build entrepreneurial ecosystems anywhere, that can be culled from this old, small Port City in far northeastern Scotland. Rob sits down with one of the earliest leaders in “Remote Work” enablement, and arguably one of Scotland’s top Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Chris Herd, founder of Firstbase. They explore how a nation known for its deep history, and prior dominance in traditional industries like Shipping and Oil and Gas, might just be on the edge of a modern entrepreneurial breakthrough. From the future of remote work to the cultural mindset shifts needed for innovation, Chris shares bold insights on what it will take to turn Scotland into a global hotspot for startups and the lessons others can take from their story. Whether you're a founder, dreamer, ecosystem builder or just curious about what fuels great innovation — this one’s for you.

Feel free to follow and engage with CHRIS here:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisherd

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisherd

• Website: https://www.firstbase.com/

• Website: https://www.appdirect.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Welcome back to Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob! This week’s episode is a powerful deep dive into the realities of career burnout, rediscovering your purpose, and reshaping your mindset—featuring the brilliant Goli Kalkhoran, founder of Lessons from a Quitter.

We unpack three big takeaways from our energizing conversation on Entrepreneurial Thinkers Episode 158, “Quitting Your Career to Save Your Life.” Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, executive, or simply feeling stuck in your current path, this is a conversation you need to hear. Goli shares deeply personal insights about breaking free from a life that no longer fits and taking bold steps toward something better.

From learning to stop tolerating the things that drain us, to recognizing that persistent inner itch that might be your next calling, to powerful tools like Thought Swapping and Intentional Thinking—this episode is packed with practical wisdom for navigating uncertainty and realigning with joy and purpose.

Goli’s story hit home for me in so many ways—especially as someone who made my own career pivot 27+ years ago. Her words are real, relatable, and needed now more than ever in today’s chaotic world.

If you’re ready for a mindset shift, or just need a reminder that you’re not alone in your struggles, this is the one to watch. And while I don’t have a book rec this week, I do recommend checking out her podcast Lessons from a Quitter. Trust me—whatever your journey looks like right now, there’s something here for you.

🙏 Thank you for being part of our growing community of Entrepreneurial Thinkers. Let’s keep moving forward together. Happy Friday—and see you next week!

Do you hate your job? Do you sometimes fantasize about what you’d do with your life if not in the job you have today? What if quitting isn’t failing—but finally listening to yourself?

In this inspiring, thoughtful episode, Goli Kalkhoran joins Rob to unpack the real story behind walking away from “success.” From leaving a prestigious law career to launching her podcast, “Lessons from a Quitter”, and expanding to build a coaching, course and community business that empowers others, Goli reveals the mindset shifts, cultural struggles, and bold moves that shaped her journey. Together, they challenge the stigma around quitting and explore how embracing entrepreneurship—and your true self—can lead to a more fulfilling life. Whether you’re stuck in a job you hate or just curious about what else is out there, this conversation will get you thinking.

Feel free to follow and engage with GOLI here:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/golikalkhoran/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromaquitter/?hl=es
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessonsfromaquitter
• Website: https://lessonsfromaquitter.com/about/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

In this episode, we unpack powerful insights from Episode 157 of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, featuring Matt Petersen, CEO of LACI (Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator). But this isn't just a recap—it's a passionate, real-world call to action about why cities are the true drivers of climate progress, how the transition to a clean green economy is not just idealistic—but economically inevitable, and why taking responsibility in your own community truly matters.

From the grassroots to city halls, from personal anecdotes to political realities, this conversation goes beyond headlines. Uncle Rob ties together the threads of innovation, civic action, and climate urgency—with a dose of hope and a nudge to step up.

📚 Book Recommendation: Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design

👉 Check it out on Amazon

Whether you're a seasoned change-maker or just tuning in, this episode will leave you thinking—and hopefully, doing. 💡

🎧 Grab a coffee, settle in, and spend some Stoppage Time with us. You won’t regret it.

#StoppageTime #ClimateAction #GreenEconomy #CitizenEntrepreneur #UncleRob #EntrepreneurialThinkers #LACI #CleanEnergy #UrbanInnovation

What if saving the planet could also save the economy? Is our move to a greener and cleaner planet inevitable, regardless of the politics of any one era? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob sits down with Matt Petersen, CEO of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), and long time leader of Climate policy across the United States, and arguably the world, to talk about how the clean green economy is no longer a choice—it’s an inevitable necessity. From rebuilding after our LA wildfires to backing underrepresented founders, Petersen shares how LA is becoming a global hub for clean innovation and investment. Tune in to hear how bold policy, local leadership, and inclusive tech are powering a climate revolution—with real jobs and real impact.

Feel free to follow and engage with MATT here:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-petersen-0771691/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattspete?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• Website: https://laincubator.org

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.