The Legacy Code with Teresa

Legacy Lounge hosts Teresa and host in residence Dan speak with Brian Sohmers, a veteran enterprise-software founder and product leader, about building products that become essential infrastructure, validating startup ideas, and assembling effective teams. Drawing on Propel Software, life-sciences technology, and more than a dozen visits to Burning Man, Brian offers practical guidance on customer evidence, fundraising signals, hiring, founder resilience, and AI.

Continue the conversation with Teresa Ge, founder of Succedia Ventures and creator of Legacy Lounge.

→ Follow Teresa on LinkedIn for investment insights and founder perspectives.
→ Explore Legacy Lounge for curated in-person gatherings.

Building or backing healthcare AI or healthspan innovation? Message me on LinkedIn with “LEGACY” and a brief introduction.

Follow Legacy Code for more conversations about building what lasts.

keywords

startup product strategy, enterprise software, product-market fit, life sciences technology, startup fundraising, early adopters, founder burnout, AI agents, Burning Man

key topics

Brian Sohmers introduces his experience founding Propel Software, working on food-waste solutions including Ripefinder, and leading quality-focused product work at Veeva Systems.

In regulated life sciences, quality management is a must-have: companies need credible quality programs to satisfy FDA or customer audits and protect patients.

Brian recommends proving an early company hypothesis with customers, realistic milestones, adequate time and funding, and a capable team with clear roles.

He describes how customer discovery revealed a larger opportunity in executive compensation governance, and how Propel’s quality management system business complemented its product lifecycle management offering.

For early enterprise-software validation, paid early adopters matter: customer spending, implementation effort, and staff time provide evidence of genuine commitment.

Brian explains the Veeva “two in the box” approach: product managers bring deep product knowledge and market familiarity, while product strategists bring deep market knowledge and product familiarity.

Early hiring should fill real capability gaps, including technical expertise, UX, and professional services; founders should remain frugal and willing to take on work themselves.

Brian advises founders to pursue work they love, manage workload to avoid burnout, and support their wellbeing through regular exercise.

He sees AI, large language models, and agents as major opportunities to embed into workflows and customer products, while taking an optimistic view of their future.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Brian Sohmers: Burning Man and enterprise software

02:04 From food-waste technology to life-sciences quality

03:44 Why quality management is essential in life sciences

06:33 Prove the startup hypothesis with customers and a strong team

09:13 Choose aligned customers and resist the wrong custom work

11:10 Unexpected product opportunities and incremental pivots

15:11 What investors can learn from paying early adopters

18:22 Complementary expertise, early hires, and team gaps

21:46 Frugal hiring and founders who wear multiple hats

23:18 Founder advice: ambition, balance, and avoiding burnout

25:04 AI agents and the opportunities ahead

How do you tell the difference between an impossible idea and one the world simply isn’t ready for yet? Inventor and Deep Future founder Pablos Holman joins The Legacy Code to explore breakthrough technology, invention, deep-tech investing, founder conviction, and what it takes to turn ambitious science into something the real world can use.

Pablos’ career spans early cryptocurrency, AI for financial markets, Blue Origin, and Intellectual Ventures Lab, where his team was awarded thousands of patents; his TED talks have reached more than 30 million views. 

The Legacy Code is part of the ecosystem I’m building around Succedia Ventures—connecting scientists, founders, operators, investors, and long-term capital around consequential innovation.

Join upcoming Legacy Lounge conversations and private community experiences:

Follow Teresa Ge on LinkedIn for Succedia Ventures investment thinking, founder conversations, and the people shaping the next generation of healthspan and technology.

Key Topics

Deep tech investment thesis

Identifying and supporting mad scientists

Balancing science and commercialization

Team composition and founder traits

Risk management in early-stage investing

Future-oriented technology evaluation

LP engagement and fund structure

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Teresa and her investment focus

05:50 Differentiating mad scientists from traditional researchers

07:53 Balancing scientific ambition with commercialization

10:09 The importance of coachability and team building

12:12 How scientists can craft compelling narratives for investors

13:53 Advice for founders approaching early-stage investors

15:47 What makes a founder or fund manager promising

17:55 Managing risk and making more bets in venture investing

19:59 Evaluating future impact and technology timelines

21:46 The role of systemic innovation and long-term vision

24:10 Building a diversified portfolio of high-risk, high-reward startups

26:10 Case study: Investing in nuclear reactors and regulatory hurdles

28:05 The importance of timing and regulatory environment

30:01 Engaging LPs and building trust with investors

31:56 Matching LP interests with innovative technology investments

34:05 The evolution of venture fund structures and standardization

35:58 Advice for new fund managers and LPs in venture capital

37:54 Aligning business success with technological and societal impact

40:05 Teresa's current fund focus on health and infrastructure

42:12 Future plans for community engagement and showcasing portfolio companies

* Succedia Ventures content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation to purchase any security.

Steve Duddy went from J&J sales floors to CEO of multiple MedTech companies. He shares the leadership code that took 30 years to write.

In this insightful interview, Steve Duddy shares his extensive experience in the med device industry, leadership, startup growth, and strategic decision-making. Discover practical advice on team building, navigating challenges, and fostering innovation in a competitive landscape.

Guest: Steve Duddy — Founder & CEO, Duddy Executive Services | Former President & CEO, Corinth MedTech | Former CEO, NuvoLase | Director of Global Marketing, Cutera | Johnson & Johnson Ethicon | 3M

Connect with Steve:🔗 LinkedIn🌐 Website

About The Legacy Code:Every leader carries a code — lessons learned the hard way, decisions they wish someone had warned them about, moves that changed everything. The Legacy Code is where those conversations happen. Hosted by Teresa Ge, founder of Succedia Ventures and the Legacy Lounge community in San Francisco.

Follow the podcast: [Spotify link] | [Apple Podcasts link]Join the Legacy Lounge Connect with Teresa Ge

Chapters

00:00 Choosing a Career Path in the Medical Industry

00:53 Lessons from COVID-19 and Industry Challenges

02:29 The Crew Team Analogy for Leadership

05:32 Assessing Team Strengths and Weaknesses

05:43 Hiring for Startup Environments

08:43 Setting Goals and Exit Strategies

11:03 Revenue Goals and Funding Strategies

12:26 Avoiding Common Leadership Pitfalls

15:39 Growing Companies in the AI Era

23:44 The Importance of Fast Moves in Business

25:31 Mentorship and Sharing Experience

30:05 Building Community and Knowledge Sharing

What does it actually take to build companies that last in the medical device world?

Steve Duddy has been on every side of that question. He started selling pharmaceuticals in New York City, cut his teeth at Johnson & Johnson's Ethicon division and 3M, and went on to serve as President and CEO of multiple MedTech startups — managing P&Ls exceeding $250M, guiding companies through FDA clearance, global commercialization, M&A, and capital raises. Most recently he led Corinth MedTech in commercializing the Veloxion System — the world's first single-use resectoscope — targeting a $2 billion global market.

Today, through Duddy Executive Services, Steve advises the next generation of MedTech and HealthTech founders and C-suite executives who are scaling fast and need someone who has genuinely been in the room.

In this episode of The Legacy Code, Steve shares the unfiltered leadership lessons that 30 years of wins and near-misses have taught him — including the story of a $28M IP lawsuit that a single decision could have prevented, why the hire that looks perfect on paper will freeze when things get hard, and the one mindset shift that separates leaders who build lasting companies from those who plateau.

This is the conversation happening in the rooms where the real decisions get made.

🎙️ The Legacy Code is hosted by Teresa Ge — founder, investor, and builder of the Legacy Lounge community in San Francisco. Every episode brings in operators, founders, and executives who share the code they carry — so you don't have to figure it out alone.

In this episode of The Legacy Code, Teresa Ge sits down with Amy Silvis to unpack a lesson that applies far beyond real estate: the best businesses do not just react to churn, they remove friction before people ever consider leaving.

Amy shares her path from biotech into commercial real estate, the health challenge that reshaped how she thinks about ambition, and the operating principles she uses to build for the long term. Together, Amy and Teresa explore what retention really means, how great operators manage risk before it becomes visible, and why mentorship, trust, and the right team matter more as your responsibilities grow.

This conversation also goes deeper than business. Amy opens up about protecting mental and physical health while building, making hard pivots with conviction, and creating a life and career that compound over decades.

If you are building a company, managing people, investing in long-term assets, or simply trying to stay healthy while pursuing something ambitious, this episode will give you a sharper framework for how to grow without losing yourself in the process.

This episode is for:- Operators thinking about retention (healthcare, SaaS, real estate, services)- Founders building for decades, not just exits- Anyone who thinks retention is about preventing exits instead of removing friction

In this episode, we cover:

• Amy’s personal health journey and how it changed her leadership

• The transition from biotech to commercial real estate

• Risk mitigation strategies for founders and operators

• Why mentorship changes the speed and quality of decision-making

• How to build a strong team across different communication styles

• The real connection between health, resilience, and long-term performance

Hosted by Teresa Ge, Founder of Solunar Wellness (AI health infrastructure) and creator of The Legacy Lounge, an exclusive community for founders building generational companies.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Amy's Journey

04:09 Overcoming Health Challenges and Career Shifts

08:17 Transitioning from Biotech to Real Estate

10:20 The Importance of Mentorship

14:53 Building a Strong Team and Managing Risks

17:07 Communication Styles Across Industries

17:44 Handling Challenges with Empathy

21:48 Prioritizing Health and Well-being

23:27 Balancing Work and Mental Health

26:40 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

In this conversation, Teresa Ge interviews Brendan Tian, Chief Commercial Officer at Pacera Biosciences, discussing the intricacies of commercializing medical breakthroughs and the leadership required in the biotech industry.

Brendan shares insights from his extensive career, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer needs, navigating challenges in scaling businesses, and the role of AI in enhancing pharmaceutical processes. He also reflects on the traits that future business leaders should cultivate and the significance of maintaining personal well-being amidst professional demands.

Takeaways

Commercializing medical breakthroughs requires specific leadership skills.

Understanding unmet needs is crucial for success in any industry.

The right talent and mission-driven people are essential for overcoming challenges.

AI is transforming the pharmaceutical industry by improving efficiency.

Balancing personal well-being with professional responsibilities is vital for success.

Effective communication and alignment of missions can drive business growth.

Navigating regulatory challenges is a critical aspect of the pharmaceutical industry.

Leaders should encourage creativity and diverse skills within their teams.

Passion for one's work leads to greater dedication and success.

Taking time to recharge is essential for maintaining energy and focus.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Brendan Tian and His Career Journey

01:37 Leadership Lessons from Early Career Experiences

03:11 Understanding Customer Needs and Value Propositions

06:16 Navigating Challenges in Business Growth

09:15 The Importance of Mission Alignment in Business

11:09 Prioritizing Patient Safety in Pharmaceuticals

13:22 Harnessing AI in the Pharmaceutical Industry

15:32 The Advantages of Working in a Smaller Company

16:25 Advice for Future Business Leaders

20:01 The Role of Fitness and Well-being in Leadership

22:07 Embracing Multifaceted Talents in Leadership

Most founders don’t lose deals because they’re bad at sales.
They lose deals because they misunderstand trust, timing, and their own worth.

In this episode of The Legacy Code, I’m joined by Jackie Wu — an award-winning business growth strategist, global speaker, and Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce Ambassador.

We talk candidly about what actually drives revenue when the pressure is real:

• Why chasing customers kills deal flow

• How leadership decisions quietly sabotage sales

• The negotiation mistake even smart founders keep making

• Why personal wellbeing is not “soft” — but a revenue multiplier

• And how the right conversation can change everything

Jackie has helped founders close high-value deals in minutes, not months — including six-figure outcomes with first-time prospects — and advises leaders preparing for massive economic moments like the 2026 Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup.

a systems conversation for founders, executives, and investors who want sustainable revenue — without burnout or broken trust.

00:00 – Why most founders misunderstand revenue

01:12 – Leadership decisions that quietly kill deals

05:03 – Custom sales vs. chasing the wrong customers

07:55 – Trust as the real accelerator

11:55 – Founder wellbeing and decision quality

14:39 – Negotiation, self-worth, and knowing when to walk away

16:37 – Community, chambers, and long-term leverage

Up to 30% of women are told they have “unexplained infertility.” But is it really unexplained—or just under-investigated?

In this episode, Dr. Elisa Yao, a wholistic fertility phsician, and Teresa Ge, founder of Solunar Wellness, unpack the hidden causes of infertility, the role of hormones like progesterone, the power of functional medicine, and why cycle tracking is the true EKG of women’s reproductive health.

A must-listen for anyone seeking clarity, hope, and a root-cause roadmap to natural fertility.

00:00 – Introduction: Why so many “normal” labs aren’t telling the full story
01:30 – The truth about “unexplained infertility” and what’s often missing in standard workups
03:00 – What most fertility labs overlook and how comprehensive testing changes outcomes
05:30 – The role of progesterone: PMS, mood, sleep, and early pregnancy loss
07:45 – How stress steals progesterone—and what that means for conception
10:40 – Building trust with your body: listening to early wellness signals
12:00 – The “Holistic Fertility” approach: combining functional and restorative reproductive medicine
16:30 – Fatigue, bloating, and hidden imbalances: how gut health affects fertility
20:00 – Food as medicine: Dr. Yao’s “3 No’s and 3 Yes’s” fertility diet
27:00 – The truth about Diet Coke, sugar, and sperm quality
30:00 – Real patient stories: restoring DHEA and natural conception success
33:00 – The mind-body connection: managing stress, grief, and self-doubt during infertility
36:00 – The best fertility tracking apps and why most are inaccurate
42:00 – Period clues: what shorter, lighter cycles and color changes reveal
47:00 – Improving egg and sperm quality—even after 40
50:00 – Why IVF isn’t the only path—and the science behind holistic fertility
52:00 – For career-driven women: preserving fertility and being proactive
55:00 – Getting started with holistic care and cycle tracking
56:40 – Closing reflections: empowerment, science, and hope

This episode is brought to you by Solunar Wellness, an AI-powered platform blending traditional Chinese medicine and modern science to decode your body’s rhythm.

Whether you’re a woman optimizing fertility or a clinic seeking better wellness outcomes, we personalize solutions that work.
Explore more at https://solunarwellness.com/

In this episode of The Legacy Code, host Teresa Ge sits down with Jay Pomerantz and Kristine Di Bacco, partners at the globally renowned law firm Fenwick, to uncover what it really takes to build companies—and legacies—that last.

Together, they’ve advised the world’s top founders and investors through the defining moments of their journeys: litigation, governance, scaling, and exits.

We discuss:

• How to recognize early warning signs before legal or cultural breakdowns.
• The founder’s lifecycle—from idea to iconic exit.
• Why trust is a company’s most valuable (and fragile) asset.
• The parallels between governance in business and rhythm in life.
• How to sustain energy, clarity, and integrity in high-pressure leadership.

This is more than a legal masterclass—it’s a guide to building organizations, relationships, and legacies that stand the test of time.

Follow The Legacy Code for weekly conversations with leaders, founders, and innovators bridging business, wellness, and legacy.

Stay with us to the end of this conversation. The lessons you’ll hear from Jay and Kristine will change the way you think about building — not just for today, but for decades to come.

🎧 Follow The Legacy Code on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and find more insights behind the scenes on Instagram at Teresasolunar.

Connect with host Teresa Ge: linkedin.com/in/teresage
Learn more at solunarwellness.com

#TheLegacyCode #VentureCapital #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #TechLaw #FoundersJourney #LegacyBuilding #Governance #Innovation #Fenwick

Most leaders track every business number. But the one they ignore—their body’s rhythm—decides how long they last.

In this episode of The Legacy Code, Teresa Ge speaks with Dr. Ryan McNally—Associate Director at UC Irvine, educator, clinician, and global health advisor—about the signals of decline most people miss until it’s too late.

We uncover:

• The single biggest mistake in Western medicine—and how Eastern practices fix it.

• Early signs of burnout and rhythm collapse that leaders ignore.

• How trust, not technology, decides whether care works.

• The “daily rhythm toolkit” that can extend both energy and lifespan.

Dr. McNally has advised the United Nations, trained with Yale, and taught the next generation of doctors. His insights bridge science, tradition, and practical wisdom every founder, investor, or parent needs now.

Listen before you miss the signals your body is already sending.

If this conversation gave you new perspective, subscribe to The Legacy Code and share it with one person you know who’s building not just success, but a legacy that lasts.

Connect with host Teresa on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/teresage

Discover your own body’s rhythm with Solunar’s free wellness assessment: solunarwellness.com

Join Teresa Ge on "The Legacy Code" as she delves into the rhythms of health, business, and leadership with Dr. Malcolm Bohm.

Discover how blending science with human understanding can sustain energy and trust over time. Perfect for leaders and experts shaping their fields, this episode uncovers practical tools and insights to build a lasting legacy. Tune in to explore the deeper systems that create rhythm, trust, and legacy in our lives.

In Episode 3 of The Legacy Code, I sat down with Dr. Malcolm Bohm to talk about the real signals that shape health and leadership.

We explored why fatigue, brain fog, and sleep disruption are often ignored until it’s too late, how Eastern and Western traditions view rhythm differently, and what simple daily practices anyone can adopt to restore balance.

This episode is full of practical tools—self-checks, breathing techniques, and nutrition insights—that high-responsibility professionals can use right now.

Listen on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube. And if you find it valuable, subscribe and share with someone who’s building not just success, but a legacy that lasts.

👉 What’s one health rhythm you protect the most in your life—sleep, diet, or stress recovery? Comment below—I’d love to hear.

[05:00] Blending Science with Human Understanding

Discussion on how Dr. Bohm integrates science and human insight in his work.

[12:00] The Importance of Rhythm in Leadership

Exploring the concept of rhythm in business and personal health.

[20:00] Practical Tools for Sustaining Energy

Dr. Bohm shares tools and strategies for maintaining energy and trust.

[30:00] Eastern vs. Western Medicine Approaches

A comparison of different medical philosophies and their impact on health.

[40:00] Building a Legacy

Insights on creating a lasting impact in your field.

[50:00] Conclusion and Call to Action

Encouragement to subscribe and share the episode.

#HealthTech #Longevity #Leadership #Rhythm #WomensHealth #LegacyCode #Leadership #HealthInnovation