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 practical advice, such as encouraging investors to be cautious about their reserves, and the massive federal investment in the venture space. A really interesting conversation you don’t want to miss!

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 life as well as hosting the Tank Talks podcast where he interviews leaders in the startup space about company building and VC investing. An interesting conversation you don’t want to miss!

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.

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Tyler Norwood, managing partner at Antler, a global firm focused on early stage investment. He talks Jim through his background, from moving to Vietnam directly after his college graduation, to his work in the fashion e-commerce space, eventually getting what he calls “a real world MBA,” launching Antler across Southeast Asia. He speaks about how he and his team connect founders and investors, untimely working their hardest to put young companies in a position to succeed.

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Anna Barber, Partner at M13 and head of their Launchpad program. Their wide-ranging discussion touches on the shifting landscape in today’s economy, how different values between generations influence the workforce, and inflation. Anna thoughtfully reflects on how to be a more considerate investor, and how her passions for addressing climate change, income inequality and fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in LA’s Tech community influence her decision-making processes.

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with British Economist Sir Paul Collier to discuss the current state of Capitalism, and walk our listeners through historical reactions to economic crises around the world. He speaks about his working class upbringing, compares the 1840s and 1930s to today, and speaks about using the lessons of the past to inform the present.

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Melissa Weintraub, co-founder and executive director of Resetting the Table, an organization dedicated to dialogue across political divides. Their conversation touches on Melissa’s professional roots working on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, growing up in a very politically red community, and how we can all do a better, healthier, job of communicating with one another.

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Cyrus Sigari of Up Partners, a venture firm at the forefront of transportation innovation. He speaks about his lifelong love of aviation and the journey of starting his firm centered around mobility. Cyrus and Jim discuss drone capabilities and taking cues from birds, sustainability related to technology, the massive benefits of AI in the transportation space, and inspiring the next generation of innovators. You don’t want to miss it!

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with David French, political commentator, senior editor of The Dispatch, and co-host of the Good Faith podcast. Their wide-ranging discussion covers the current US political climate and what he calls the ‘new culture war,’ the fundamental differences in thinking between liberals and conservatives, and the possibility of unity in today’s polarized world. A fascinating, nuanced discussion that you don’t want to miss!

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Neil Sequeira, founder and managing director at Defy, an early-stage venture fund focused on emerging high-potential investments. Neil walks Jim through his history in the corporate VC world, weathering downturns in the economy, and working towards positive change in consumer financial services. They talk about blockchain, the market, and a more socially conscious workforce. A stimulating conversation you don’t want to miss.