The Puck: Venture Capital and Beyond

Venture Capital

The Puck: Venture Capital & Beyond, hosted by Jim Baer.

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Latest Episodes

Episode 91: Gary Gerstle

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Gary Gerstle, author, professor, and historian with a focus on “Political Orders.” His most recent book, “The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order,” came out in 2022, and explores the larger trends in political thinking which make up a consensus, oftentimes a consensus we take for granted. Their conversation covers classical liberalism, neoliberalism, and… where we are right now. You don’t want to miss this clarifying discussion.

Episode 90: Frank Furedi

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Frank Furedi, author, social commentator, and Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent. Frank is a free speech absolutist and has been a longtime critic of what he and others call “The Culture Wars.” They discuss Frank’s background, his academic work, and how he formed his worldview.

Episode 89: Jai Das

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Jai Das, President and Partner at Sapphire Ventures. They cover Jai’s history as a developer, the Sapphire origin story, and Jai’s current read of the financial landscape. Their conversation explores what sets successful companies apart, and what’s next for Sapphire, including their groundbreaking AI investment initiative. A fascinating conversation you don’t want to miss!

Episode 88: Greg McKeown

In this illuminating episode of The Puck, Jim sits down with Greg McKeown, the bestselling author of "Essentialism" and "Effortless." McKeown shares his journey from London law student to influential thought leader, revealing his groundbreaking philosophy of achieving more by doing less. Through engaging stories—ranging from Silicon Valley successes to Norwegian polar expeditions—McKeown explains how success often leads to "the undisciplined pursuit of more," and offers practical tools for moving from chaos to clarity. The conversation weaves together practical productivity advice with deeper insights about limitlessness, the power of true listening, and the art of making extraordinary progress without extraordinary strain

Episode 87: Sir Paul Collier Returns to the Show!

Once again, we have the privilege of hosting world-renowned economist Sir Paul Collier. Paul and Jim discuss the vast changes in the world economy since Paul was last on the show in 2022. They cover inflation, geopolitical conflict, and of course Paul’s new book, Left Behind: A New Economics for Neglected Places. Give us a listen and let us know what you think.

Episode 86: Demetri Kofinas Returns to the Show!

Media entrepreneur and Hidden Forces host Demetri Kofinas returns to The Puck to discuss the evolution of technology, security, and social dynamics since last year when he was on. From the siloing of our media ecosystems to the relationship between innovation and regulation, Demetri shares a nuanced perspective on how emerging technologies are reshaping global politics and international conflicts. A fascinating conversation you don’t want to miss!

Episode 85: Shomik Dutta Returns to the Show!

Jim sits back down with Shomik Dutta, co-founder and managing partner at Overture VC, who is on the cutting edge of climate tech. They catch up and discuss how the VC and climate space has changed in the last 18 months. Don’t miss it!

Episode 84: Doug Holtz-Eakin

On this episode, Jim interviews economist Doug Holtz-Eakin, president of the American Action Forum, to explore the current slate of economic issues facing the United States. Drawing from his extensive experience in academia and government, Holtz-Eakin offers his perspective on topics ranging from sustainable economic growth and fiscal policy to past financial crises, monetary policy, housing markets, and potential economic risks. Their conversation provides valuable insights into the complexities of economic policymaking and the massive potential of market-based solutions – a fascinating conversation you don’t want to miss!

Episode 83: Greg Lukianoff

On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Greg Lukianoff, president and CEO of The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, an organization focused on the legal defense of free speech. Greg is the co-author of The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure with Jonathan Haidt. Most recently Greg co-authored The Canceling of the American Mind: Cancel Culture Undermines Trust and Threatens Us All—But There Is a Solution with Rikki Schlott. In 2022, FIRE announced an expansion initiative into off-campus free speech advocacy and legal defense. His conversation with Jim covers the current slate of student protests all around the country. You don’t want to miss it.

Bio of The Puck: Venture Capital and Beyond

The Puck: Venture Capital & Beyond, hosted by Jim Baer, is a podcast that delves into the world of venture capital and explores the forward-thinking mindset that drives this industry. Through in-depth conversations with seasoned venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and technology experts, The Puck takes listeners on a journey of discovery.

Join Jim as he uncovers the stories of these industry leaders, exploring their triumphs, obstacles, and the valuable lessons they've learned along the way. Gain insights into what investors seek in potential investments and learn the pitfalls to avoid when presenting your ideas.

In addition to the people behind venture capital, The Puck also explores the latest technologies and trends shaping our world.

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