The Puck: Venture Capital and Beyond

In this episode of The Puck, Jim Baer sits down with Jack Goldstone—the Hazel Chair Professor of Public Policy at George Mason University and one of the world’s foremost scholars on revolutions and social change. Goldstone has advised the National Intelligence Council, the World Bank, and the U.S. State and Defense Departments. His latest book, Revolutions: A Very Short Introduction, distills decades of research into why societies unravel—or endure. Jim and Jack explore how rising debt, political polarization, elite fragmentation, and declining public trust mirror the early stages of historic revolutionary periods. They discuss China’s global ambitions, the impact of social media algorithms, the stagnation facing America’s working class, and what it would take to restore stability and rebuild a shared national purpose. Goldstone offers a candid assessment of where the U.S. stands in 2025—and why compassionate, unifying leadership will be essential to avoid deeper turmoil. A wide-ranging and timely conversation about the forces reshaping democracy, the risks ahead, and the paths that might still lead America toward renewal.

Global macro strategist Vincent Deluard joins Jim Baer for a direct, data-driven conversation about the new economic regime taking shape in the U.S. and around the world. Deluard explains why fiscal dominance now outweighs monetary policy, why inflation is proving sticky, and how generational inequality, asset bubbles, and rising deficits are reshaping politics and markets. A concise, unfiltered look at the forces shaping the next decade of markets, democracy, and everyday life.

On this week's episode, Jim talks with Matthew Continetti about the real story of the American Right—how conservatism evolved, why populism exploded, and what’s coming next. Sharp history, clear analysis, and a roadmap for understanding today’s politics.

Jim Baer talks with Francis Fukuyama — author of The End of History and the Last Man — about the fragility of liberal democracy in an age of rising authoritarianism and deepening polarization. They discuss political decay in the U.S., geopolitical threats from Russia and China, and the outsized influence of social media. Fukuyama also shares a practical vision for rebuilding effective governance through an “abundance agenda” that cuts through gridlock and proves democracy can still deliver.

In this episode of The Puck, Jim Baer sits down with acclaimed author and journalist Oliver Burkeman, whose books Four Thousand Weeks and The Antidote have reshaped how we think about time, productivity, and perfectionism. Oliver introduces ideas from his forthcoming book Meditations for Mortals, exploring how embracing our human limitations—rather than denying them—opens the path to deeper meaning and accomplishment. From the illusion of “getting on top of everything,” to the paradox of slowing down in a productivity-obsessed culture, Oliver offers insights drawn from philosophy, spirituality, and his own journey. Together, Jim and Oliver reflect on mortality, imperfectionism, and how practices like patience, Sabbath rest, and journaling can help us live saner, more fulfilling lives.

Musician turned therapist Dan Koch joins The Puck: Venture Capital & Beyond to share his remarkable journey from touring in a rock band to pioneering research on spiritual abuse. We explore how faith and psychology intersect, why polarization is so hard to overcome, and why Dan believes ‘reality itself can be the medicine.’ A conversation about healing, curiosity, and hope in a divided world.

As violence flares in Gaza and the Middle East teeters on the edge of a wider crisis, The Puck turns to Aaron David Miller — a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; a former State department analyst and negotiator in Republican and Democratic Administrations — for an unflinching look at the road ahead. In this urgent conversation, we explore the hard lessons of history, the role of U.S. leverage, the realities of Israeli and Palestinian leadership, and whether there’s any realistic path to a lasting peace after October 7th. A candid, deeply informed discussion that cuts through political soundbites to the heart of one of the world’s most intractable conflicts.

Stanford professor and financial reform advocate Anat Admati joins Jim to unpack the growing fragility in our financial system and the dangerous myths still shaping public policy. From shadow banking and corporate debt subsidies to crypto hype and post-crisis denial, Admati pulls no punches in exposing the deep structural flaws threatening American capitalism. They discuss why financial regulations continue to fall short and what real reform would look like. Admati explains how public anger after 2008 was hijacked by dangerous narratives, why crypto's promise is largely a mirage, and how shadow banking adds new layers of systemic risk. She makes the case for genuine accountability—in both government and the private sector—and warns of the moral cost of allowing “profitable misconduct” to persist. This is a candid conversation about fragility, power, truth—and what it will take to rebuild a system that actually serves society.

Journalist and author John B. Judis joins Jim to unpack the political chaos of our time—from Trump and Sanders to shifting class loyalties, cultural divides, and the fragile state of democracy. Is a new political order emerging—or are we just stuck in a dangerous loop?