Trailblazers by Erica Wenger

Επεισόδια

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  John Hu: How I Built A $40M Business With 30 Employees l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 44 28.07.2026 55λ

  In this episode, we sit down with John Hu, the co-founder and CEO of Stan, the platform helping creators turn their audience into thriving businesses.We discuss how AI is changing entrepreneurship, why the best companies stay relentlessly founder-first, what it takes to build a $40M business with just 30 employees, the future of creator entrepreneurs, the importance of distribution and personal branding, and the principles behind building products people genuinely love.If you're interested in entrepreneurship, AI, startups, the creator economy, or building high-growth businesses, this episode is for you.This episode is supported by Sydecar, HEX, Wispr Flow, Granola, Beehiiv, KalshiSydecar: https://sydecar.io/partners/trailblazersbeehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com/splash?utm_campaign=trailblazers-2026-Partnership&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=trailblazers&utm_term=podcast-1&stripe_campaign_code=TRAILBLAZERS30 (or use code “trailblazers30” for 30% OFF)Granola: http://granola.ai/trailblazers*Granola is the official notetaker of Trailblazers. Kalshi: http://Kalshi.com/r/trailblazersWispr Flow: https://ref.wisprflow.ai/trailblazersHEX: http://hex.ai/trailblazers🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.trailblazerspod.com🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://spotify.trailblazerspod.com📲 Follow on TikTok: https://tiktok.trailblazerspod.com▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.trailblazerspod.com📸 Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.trailblazerspod.com🐘 Learn more about Park Rangers Capital: https://parkrangerscap.comTrailblazers is your favorite tech + VC podcast, hosted by Erica Wenger (GP at Park Rangers Capital). Each week we sit down with founders, operators, and investors who’ve found conventional success in unconventional ways. New episodes every Tuesday.Enjoy!Timestamps:00:00 - Intro01:09 - Workplace Philosophy and Surfing Culture05:33 - The Founder-First Northstar Value08:23 - The Spectrum of Creator Entrepreneurs09:57 - Durability of Personal Branding at Scale12:40 - AI Content Creation Workflows15:53 - Building "Stanley": The Pocket AI Content Team18:10 - Marketing Breakthroughs vs Saturated Insights22:36 - Cold Outreach and Fundraising with Steven Bartlett26:47 - Career Expectations and dropper-out from Stanford Business School30:37 - Growing Up with a Single, Hardworking Immigrant Mother31:59 - Redefining Self-Worth, Fulfillment, and Corporate Plateaus41:14 - Creator Payout Success Stories on Stan44:04 - Trailblazers Trade-offs
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  Nicole Behnam: Stop Asking Successful People for Advice l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 43 24.07.2026 1ώ

  In this episode, we sit down with Nicole Behnam, an entrepreneur, investor, and podcast host known for interviewing some of the world's top founders, investors, and business leaders.We discuss how to build relationships with influential people, why traditional education leaves entrepreneurs at a disadvantage, the future of AI and entrepreneurship, the power of storytelling, how to build a cult-like brand, and the mindset behind building one of the strongest networks in tech.If you're interested in entrepreneurship, AI, networking, business, or learning how successful founders think, this episode is for you.This episode is supported by Sydecar, HEX, Wispr Flow, Granola, Beehiiv, KalshiSydecar: https://sydecar.io/partners/trailblazersbeehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com/splash?utm_campaign=trailblazers-2026-Partnership&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=trailblazers&utm_term=podcast-1&stripe_campaign_code=TRAILBLAZERS30 (or use code “trailblazers30” for 30% OFF)Granola: http://granola.ai/trailblazers*Granola is the official notetaker of Trailblazers. Check out the episode show notes here: https://notes.granola.ai/t/b7b67559-e75a-4321-a59e-fbc5bed34450-008umkv4Kalshi: http://Kalshi.com/r/trailblazersWispr Flow: https://ref.wisprflow.ai/trailblazersHEX: http://hex.ai/trailblazers🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.trailblazerspod.com🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://spotify.trailblazerspod.com📲 Follow on TikTok: https://tiktok.trailblazerspod.com▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.trailblazerspod.com📸 Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.trailblazerspod.com🐘 Learn more about Park Rangers Capital: https://parkrangerscap.comTrailblazers is your favorite tech + VC podcast, hosted by Erica Wenger (GP at Park Rangers Capital). Each week we sit down with founders, operators, and investors who’ve found conventional success in unconventional ways. New episodes every Tuesday.Enjoy!Timestamps:00:00 - Intro01:00 - Strengths & Weaknesses 03:00 - Finding Mentors & The Power of Being Bold07:12 - Admitting Weaknesses & The Sales Mindset10:04 - Deciding to Ditch Traditional Journalism14:58 - Spotting Generational Talent Early18:04 - What School Forgot to Teach Us20:58 - Getting Access to Elite Investment Circles23:20 - Throwing a Private Event for Naval Ravikant30:10 - Why Nicole’s Interviews Are Radically Different32:00 - Is AI Going to Take Your Job?37:42 - Standing Up for Human Rights in Iran40:50 - How Algorithms Are Weaponizing Our Anger43:40 - Why Tech Has a Serious PR Problem46:14 - The Surprising Truth About Andrew Tate & Cult Branding49:58 - Lightning Round: Trailblazer Trade-offs54:53 - Final Thoughts: AI Abundance vs. Chaos
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  Geoff Woo: The Ugly Truth About Venture Capital l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 42 21.07.2026 1ώ 8λ

  In this episode, we sit down with Geoff Woo, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Antifund, an unconventional venture capital firm investing in the next generation of companies across technology, consumer, defense, and culture. Geoff is also the Founder and Executive Chairman of Ketone-IQ and has built businesses alongside creators like Jake and Logan Paul, giving him a unique perspective at the intersection of venture capital, entrepreneurship, and internet culture.We discuss why venture capital is "high-class begging," how Antifund uses celebrity partnerships to win the most competitive startup deals, why attention is becoming more valuable than capital, how AI is changing the future of startups and human expertise, the philosophy behind Ketone-IQ, and the mindset founders need to build category-defining companies.If you're interested in startups, venture capital, AI, entrepreneurship, creator businesses, or learning how top investors think, this episode is for you.This episode is supported by Sydecar, HEX, Wispr Flow, Granola, Beehiiv, KalshiSydecar: https://sydecar.io/partners/trailblazersbeehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com/splash?utm_campaign=trailblazers-2026-Partnership&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=trailblazers&utm_term=podcast-1&stripe_campaign_code=TRAILBLAZERS30 (or use code “trailblazers30” for 30% OFF)*Granola is the official notetaker of Trailblazers! Check out the episode show notes here: https://notes.granola.ai/t/7b44b7f3-ac56-487b-befa-81d024355e49-00b881l8Kalshi: http://Kalshi.com/r/trailblazersWispr Flow: https://ref.wisprflow.ai/trailblazersHEX: http://hex.ai/trailblazers🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.trailblazerspod.com🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://spotify.trailblazerspod.com📲 Follow on TikTok: https://tiktok.trailblazerspod.com▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.trailblazerspod.com📸 Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.trailblazerspod.com🐘 Learn more about Park Rangers Capital: https://parkrangerscap.comTrailblazers is your favorite tech + VC podcast, hosted by Erica Wenger (GP at Park Rangers Capital). Each week we sit down with founders, operators, and investors who’ve found conventional success in unconventional ways. New episodes every Tuesday.Enjoy!Timestamps:0:00 - Intro00:42 - Personal Strengths, Weaknesses, and Focus6:53 - IQ vs EQ in Venture Capital12:22 - The "Celebrity GP" Thesis & Value Add23:08 - Antifund Structure & Incubations29:27 - Meeting the Paul Brothers & The Origins of Antifund43:13 - The Philosophy Behind the "Antifund" Name48:37 - Ketone-Based Nutrition & Silicon Valley Fasting51:19 Rapid Fire Questions
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  Ann Miura-Ko: Why Great Businesses Still Fail l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 41 14.07.2026 1ώ 11λ

  In this episode, we sit down with Ann Miura-Ko, Co-Founding Partner of Floodgate and one of Silicon Valley's earliest investors in companies like Lyft, Twitch, Twitter, and Okta. After nearly two decades investing in founders at the earliest stages of company building, Ann shares how she identifies exceptional entrepreneurs long before the rest of the market. We discuss how Twitch almost never happened, the early rivalry between Uber and Lyft, why the best entrepreneurs are truth seekers, the future of AI-pilled organizations, what teaching has revealed about curiosity and character, and how Ann thinks about investing in the next generation of world-changing companies. If you're interested in startups, venture capital, AI, or understanding how the best investors think, this episode is for you.This episode is supported by Sydecar, HEX, Wispr Flow, Granola, Beehiiv, KalshiSydecar: https://sydecar.io/partners/trailblazersbeehiiv: www.beehiiv.com/splash?utm_campaign=trailblazers-2026-Partnership&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=trailblazers&utm_term=podcast-5&stripe_campaign_code=TRAILBLAZERS30 (or use code “trailblazers30” for 30% OFF)*beehiiv has a major announcement coming July 16 - can't say more, but you won't want to miss it. RSVP here: https://www.beehiiv.com/summer-release-2026Granola: http://granola.ai/trailblazers*Granola is the official notetaker of Trailblazers. Check out the episode show notes here: https://notes.granola.ai/t/d1fb3aec-f1c5-4681-b763-af05df15ac3d-008umkv4Kalshi: http://Kalshi.com/r/trailblazersWispr Flow: https://ref.wisprflow.ai/trailblazersHEX: http://hex.ai/trailblazers🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.trailblazerspod.com🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://spotify.trailblazerspod.com📲 Follow on TikTok: https://tiktok.trailblazerspod.com▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.trailblazerspod.com📸 Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.trailblazerspod.com🐘 Learn more about Park Rangers Capital: https://parkrangerscap.comTrailblazers is your favorite tech + VC podcast, hosted by Erica Wenger (GP at Park Rangers Capital). Each week we sit down with founders, operators, and investors who’ve found conventional success in unconventional ways. New episodes every Tuesday.Timestamps:0:00 Intro 0:41 The AI Pilled Organization 6:09 The Biggest Barrier to AI Adoption8:41 The Rise of the Non-Technical Founders10:32 How To Find Super-Thinkers12:30 Why Ann Loves Teaching 13:36 Stanford Mayfield Program16:25 Getting Pitched By A 14-Year-Old18:52 Different Types Of Leadership 23:29 Early Investment In Twitter 24:42 Why Twitch Never Should Have Worked27:01 Ann’s 10,000x Return From Lyft Investment 30:00 Inside the Uber vs. Lyft Rivalry33:25 Ann’s Investment Philosophy  35:52 Investing In Lyft At $5M Valuation 39:10 Staying Disciplined On Fund Size 47:49 Evaluating Companies After The Investment51:29 Ann’s Partnership With Mike Maples 1:03:27 Rapid Fire Questions
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  Kate McAndrew Inside The Mind Of A $100M Investor l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 40 08.07.2026 1ώ 12λ

  In this episode, we sit down with Kate McAndrew, Co-Founder and General Partner of Baukunst, a $100 million pre-seed venture fund investing in the next generation of founders. After spending more than a decade investing in over 100 early-stage companies, Kate shares how she evaluates entrepreneurs long before the rest of the market catches on. We discuss what makes a startup worth investing in, how great investors think from first principles, the traits that separate exceptional founders, how to build company cultures and institutions that last, and the unconventional path that led her into venture capital. If you're interested in startups, investing, entrepreneurship, or understanding how the best venture capitalists think, this episode is for you.This episode is supported by Sydecar, HEX, Wispr Flow, Granola, Beehiiv, KalshiSydecar: https://sydecar.io/partners/trailblazersbeehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com/splash?utm_campaign=trailblazers-2026-Partnership&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=trailblazers&utm_term=podcast-4&stripe_campaign_code=TRAILBLAZERS30 (or use code “trailblazers30” for 30% OFF)*beehiiv has a major announcement coming July 16 - can't say more, but you won't want to miss it. RSVP here: https://www.beehiiv.com/summer-release-2026Granola: http://granola.ai/trailblazers*Granola is the official notetaker of Trailblazers. Check out the episode show notes here: https://notes.granola.ai/t/860f1c91-f717-41cd-a6c1-567458bfb806-00b881l8Kalshi: http://Kalshi.com/r/trailblazersWispr Flow: https://ref.wisprflow.ai/trailblazersHEX: http://hex.ai/trailblazers🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.trailblazerspod.com🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://spotify.trailblazerspod.com📲 Follow on TikTok: https://tiktok.trailblazerspod.com▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.trailblazerspod.com📸 Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.trailblazerspod.com🐘 Learn more about Park Rangers Capital: https://parkrangerscap.comTrailblazers is your favorite tech + VC podcast, hosted by Erica Wenger (GP at Park Rangers Capital). Each week we sit down with founders, operators, and investors who’ve found conventional success in unconventional ways. New episodes every Tuesday.Timestamps:0:00 Intro 1:37 Kate’s Biggest Struggle 3:55 How Going To An All-Girls School Impacted Kate's Life8:38 What Going To An All-Girls School Is Actually Like 11:21 How Kate Thinks About Investing 12:41 What Makes A Great Founder 14:23 How Companies Survive 100+ Years 17:14 Kate’s Unconventional Path To VC23:15 The Philosophy Of Building A Great Company 27:54 How Kate Got Her First Job In VC 30:04 Kate’s Best Advice For Entrepreneurs33:29 What Makes A Brand’s Identity 36:49 Why Kate Makes Content 43:30 The Purpose Behind Baukunst48:04 How Baukunst Operates Internally 52:34 What Kate’s Most Excited To Invest In 54:57 Every VC Hates A Creator Business
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  Nas Daily: The Internet Tried To Cancel Me l Trailblazers Episode 39 30.06.2026 1ώ 3λ

  In this episode, we sit down with Nas Daily, entrepreneur, creator, and founder of one of the world's largest creator brands. After building an audience of more than 70 million followers through nearly a decade of daily videos, Nas made the biggest gamble of his career by pivoting his content to AI. We discuss why he believes AI will create the next Walt Disney, how he built and manages a company with more than 100 employees, the philosophy behind Nas Daily, the family gamble that got him into Harvard, his perspective on the Israel-Palestine conflict, and how he thinks about storytelling, leadership, and the future of content. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, the creator economy, AI, or building a business that stands the test of time, this episode is for you.This episode is supported by Sydecar, HEX, Wispr Flow, Granola, Beehiiv, KalshiSydecar: https://sydecar.io/partners/trailblazersbeehiiv: www.beehiiv.com/splash?utm_campaign=trailblazers-2026-Partnership&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=trailblazers&utm_term=podcast-3&stripe_campaign_code=TRAILBLAZERS30 (or use code “trailblazers30” for 30% OFF)*beehiiv has a major announcement coming July 16 - can't say more, but you won't want to miss it. RSVP here: https://www.beehiiv.com/summer-release-2026Granola: http://granola.ai/trailblazers*Granola is the official notetaker of Trailblazers. Check out the episode show notes here: https://notes.granola.ai/t/153edc4e-bc9a-410d-8f94-f9aea61e8cfd-00b881l8Kalshi: http://Kalshi.com/r/trailblazersWispr Flow: https://ref.wisprflow.ai/trailblazersHEX: http://hex.ai/trailblazers🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.trailblazerspod.com🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://spotify.trailblazerspod.com📲 Follow on TikTok: https://tiktok.trailblazerspod.com▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.trailblazerspod.com📸 Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.trailblazerspod.com🐘 Learn more about Park Rangers Capital: https://parkrangerscap.comTrailblazers is your favorite tech + VC podcast, hosted by Erica Wenger (GP at Park Rangers Capital). Each week we sit down with founders, operators, and investors who’ve found conventional success in unconventional ways. New episodes every Tuesday.Timestamps:0:00 Intro 1:45 Nas Is Very Opinionated4:40 How To Actually Create Company Culture5:56 Nas Hasn’t Changed His T-Shirt In 9 Years 8:40 Asking People Their Net Worth Should Be Normal 9:21 How Nas Chooses What Products To Build 13:52 Why Justin Bieber’s Business Failed16:09 Predicting What Type Of Founders Will Be Successful 17:13 How Nas Daily Hires Employees 18:05 Why AI Agencies Suck21:16 The Biggest Risk Nas Daily Ever Took 24:10 How Nas Daily Closed Series A Investment 29:31 The Passing Of Zaki Djemal 32:40 The Importance Of Believing In Yourself 36:20 Why Nas Boycott YouTube For 2 Years 38:37 Discussing The Israel-Palestine Conflict 49:04 Growing Up In Israel 51:08 How Nas Ended Up Going To Harvard 52:43 North Korea Vs Israel 54:47 Rapid Fire Questions
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  Justin Welsh: How I Built A $15M Business Alone l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 38 23.06.2026 1ώ 4λ

  In this episode, we sit down with Justin Welsh, entrepreneur, writer, and founder of a $15 million one-person business. After helping build two billion-dollar companies and raising more than $300 million in venture capital, Justin chose a different path; one focused on freedom, leverage, and ownership. We discuss the power of writing, the future of entrepreneurship in the age of AI, why many founders are building the wrong businesses, and how to create wealth without sacrificing your time, health, and relationships. If you want to build a business that supports your life instead of consuming it, this episode is for you.This episode is supported by Sydecar, HEX, Wispr Flow, Granola, Beehiiv, KalshiSydecar: https://sydecar.io/partners/trailblazersbeehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com/splash?utm_campaign=trailblazers-2026-Partnership&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=trailblazers&utm_term=podcast-2&stripe_campaign_code=TRAILBLAZERS30 (or use code “trailblazers30” for 30% OFF)*beehiiv has a major announcement coming July 16 - can't say more, but you won't want to miss it. RSVP here: https://www.beehiiv.com/summer-release-2026Granola: http://granola.ai/trailblazers*Granola is the official notetaker of Trailblazers. Check out the episode show notes here: https://notes.granola.ai/t/5998b389-aaa5-4d9c-bc58-a7ff3230378c-009c2hmaKalshi: http://Kalshi.com/r/trailblazersWispr Flow: https://ref.wisprflow.ai/trailblazersHEX: http://hex.ai/trailblazers🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.trailblazerspod.com🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://spotify.trailblazerspod.com📲 Follow on TikTok: https://tiktok.trailblazerspod.com▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.trailblazerspod.com📸 Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.trailblazerspod.com🐘 Learn more about Park Rangers Capital: https://parkrangerscap.comTrailblazers is your favorite tech + VC podcast, hosted by Erica Wenger (GP at Park Rangers Capital). Each week we sit down with founders, operators, and investors who’ve found conventional success in unconventional ways. New episodes every Tuesday.Timestamps:0:00 Intro0:58 The Hardest Part In Justin’s Journey2:17 Knowing When Something Has To Change3:57 How Justin’s Wife Helped Build Their $15M Business5:44 Revenue Sources8:05 Learning How To Build Work-Life Balance10:46 How AI Tools Impact Writing16:40 The Most Valuable Social Platform24:00 Justin’s Favourite Piece Of Writing26:35 The Biggest Problem Founders Face Today30:07 How To Give Value To Your Clients31:59 Everyone Is So Bombastic35:08 How Justin Chooses What Businesses To Invest In39:10 Clients Love Being Part Of A Community41:29 Building A $15M Business Alone43:44 Healing From Burnout48:41 Rapid Fire Questions
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  Mark Cuban: How To Win When You're Broke l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 37 16.06.2026 1ώ 6λ

  In this episode, we sit down with Mark Cuban to uncover the principles behind his success in business. From whether entrepreneurs should drop out of school to the toughest challenges he faced while building his companies, Mark shares the lessons that shaped his career. He explains why curiosity is a competitive advantage, how ego can hold people back, and what separates successful entrepreneurs from everyone else. If you're looking to build a business, advance your career, or think differently about success, this episode is for you.This episode is supported by Sydecar, HEX, Wispr Flow, Granola, Beehiiv, KalshiSydecar: https://sydecar.io/partners/trailblazersbeehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com/splash?utm_campaign=trailblazers-2026-Partnership&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=trailblazers&utm_term=podcast-2&stripe_campaign_code=TRAILBLAZERS30 (or use code “trailblazers30” for 30% OFF)*beehiiv has a major announcement coming July 16 - can't say more, but you won't want to miss it. RSVP here: https://www.beehiiv.com/summer-release-2026Granola: http://granola.ai/trailblazers*Granola is the official notetaker of Trailblazers. Check out the episode show notes here: https://notes.granola.ai/t/5998b389-aaa5-4d9c-bc58-a7ff3230378c-009c2hmaKalshi: http://Kalshi.com/r/trailblazersWispr Flow: https://ref.wisprflow.ai/trailblazersHEX: http://hex.ai/trailblazers🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.trailblazerspod.com🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://spotify.trailblazerspod.com📲 Follow on TikTok: https://tiktok.trailblazerspod.com▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.trailblazerspod.com📸 Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.trailblazerspod.com🐘 Learn more about Park Rangers Capital: https://parkrangerscap.comTrailblazers is your favorite tech + VC podcast, hosted by Erica Wenger (GP at Park Rangers Capital). Each week we sit down with founders, operators, and investors who’ve found conventional success in unconventional ways. New episodes every Tuesday.Timestamps:0:00 Intro1:25 Mark Cuban’s Biggest Professional Challenge 4:14 Should Entrepreneurs Go To School?7:26 How AI Is Impacting Education14:26 Why Women Athletes Make Great CEO’s15:40 Clavicular Getting Frame Mogged By ASU Frat Leader16:44 When To Start A Company20:59 AI Slop26:08 The Dark Side Of AI29:19 How Mark Cuban Is Fighting Big Pharma33:03 Rich People Always Fail In Healthcare37:23 Business Changes The World More Than Politics44:57 Mark Cuban’s Advice For 20 Year Olds53:46 Tech Wars 1:01:15 Rapid Fire Question
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  Leah Solivan: Founder of TaskRabbit and Precedent.vc 05.05.2026 58λ

  This week, we chat with Leah Solivan!Leah is the founder of TaskRabbit, the pioneering on-demand marketplace that helped redefine the future of work and laid the foundation for what we now know as the gig economy. As CEO for eight years, she scaled TaskRabbit into an international business operating in more than 40 cities before overseeing its successful acquisition by IKEA in 2017.Today, Leah continues to build and back world-changing companies as Managing Director of Precedent.vc, General Partner at Fuel Capital, and founder of The Precedent Collective. Across her investing career, she’s supported more than 150 companies spanning consumer technology, marketplaces, hardware, education, and retail, including companies like Nanit, Pacaso, Our Place, Good Dog, and Upwards.Before founding TaskRabbit, Leah began her career as a software engineer at IBM, where she worked on products like Lotus Notes and Domino, building the technical foundation that would later shape her journey as a founder and investor.Leah is also a passionate advocate for diversity in technology and entrepreneurship, proudly representing her Latina heritage and speaking globally on topics like the future of work, innovation, and leadership.✨ This episode is presented by Brex.Brex: brex.com/trailblazerspodThis episode is supported by RocketReach, Gusto, OpenPhone & Athena.RocketReach: rocketreach.co/trailblazersGusto: gusto.com/trailblazersQuo: Quo.com/trailblazersAthena: athenago.me/Erica-WengerFollow Us!Leah Solivan: @labunleashedBreaking Precedent Podcast: https://www.breakingprecedent.com/https://truthorlie.ai/@thetrailblazerspod: Instagram, YouTube, TikTokErica Wenger: @erica_wenger
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  Mariam Naficy: Founder of Minted and CEO at Arcade 28.04.2026 1ώ 7λ

  This week, we chat with Mariam Naficy!A serial entrepreneur and visionary leader known for pioneering new ways to connect creativity, technology, and human expression. Mariam is the Founder and Chairman of Minted, and now the Founder and CEO of Arcade, a platform that uses AI to help people communicate visually — transcending geographic and language barriers to connect creators, artisans, and consumers worldwide.For Mariam, Arcade is a full-circle moment. Having grown up overseas exploring marketplaces and bazaars, she developed a lifelong love of handcrafted objects and the stories behind them. At Arcade, she’s bringing that passion to life — using technology to foster deeper human connection. By training models for makers like Christofle, Bitossi Ceramiche, Cabana, and Anastasio Home, as well as manufacturers around the world, Arcade empowers anyone to create meaningful, personal objects that reflect individual taste and creativity.Before founding Arcade, Mariam built some of the Internet’s most influential creative brands over the past several decades. She founded and built Minted, the design marketplace that revolutionized the creator economy and became a several hundred million dollar business, and co-founded Eve.com, the very first online cosmetics retailer in the world, in 1998.At the heart of her work is a belief that technology, when used thoughtfully, can bring meaning, beauty, and connection into people’s lives—as well as create meaningful income for others, such as the Minted artist community.✨ This episode is presented by Brex.Brex: brex.com/trailblazerspodThis episode is supported by RocketReach, Gusto, OpenPhone & Athena.RocketReach: rocketreach.co/trailblazersGusto: gusto.com/trailblazersQuo: Quo.com/trailblazersAthena: athenago.me/Erica-WengerFollow Us!Mariam Naficy: @mnaficyArcade: arcade_ai@thetrailblazerspod: Instagram, YouTube, TikTokErica Wenger: @erica_wenger
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  Marlon Nichols: Co-Founder of MaC Venture Capital 21.04.2026 1ώ 6λ

  This week, we chat with Marlon Nichols!Marlon is the co-founder and managing general partner of MaC Venture Capital, a leading seed-stage firm backing visionary founders who are redefining industries and shaping the future. Under his leadership, MaC has grown into one of North America’s largest seed-stage venture firms, with over $600 million in assets under management.He’s backed an incredible portfolio of companies including MongoDB, Gimlet Media, Thrive Market, Blavity, and Pipe—consistently identifying cultural and technological shifts before they hit the mainstream. His ability to spot transformative opportunities has earned him recognition on Business Insider’s Seed 100 and PitchBook’s top VCs to watch.Before founding MaC Venture Capital, Marlon launched Cross Culture Ventures and served as an investment director at Intel Capital, developing a sharp lens on the intersection of culture, technology, and consumer behavior.A former professional athlete, Marlon brings a leadership style rooted in discipline and long-term vision, and is deeply committed to expanding access in venture capital through his work with Kauffman Fellows.✨ This episode is presented by Brex.Brex: brex.com/trailblazerspodThis episode is supported by RocketReach, Gusto, OpenPhone & Athena.RocketReach: rocketreach.co/trailblazersGusto: gusto.com/trailblazersQuo: Quo.com/trailblazersAthena: athenago.me/Erica-WengerFollow Us!Marlon Nichols @MarlonCNicholsMaC Ventures: MaCVentureCap@thetrailblazerspod: Instagram, YouTube, TikTokErica Wenger: @erica_wengerTimestamps:0:00 Intro 0:58 The Hardest Part In Justin’s Journey 2:17 Knowing When Something Has To Change 3:57 How Justin’s Wife Helped Build Their $15M Business 5:44 Revenue Sources 8:05 Learning How To Build Work-Life Balance 10:46 How AI Tools Impact Writing 16:40 The Most Valuable Social Platform 24:00 Justin’s Favourite Piece Of Writing 26:35 The Biggest Problem Founders Face Today 30:07 How To Give Value To Your Clients 31:59 Everyone Is So Bombastic 35:08 How Justin Chooses What Businesses To Invest In 39:10 Clients Love Being Part Of A Community 41:29 Building A $15M Business Alone 43:44 Healing From Burnout 48:41 Rapid Fire Questions
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  Paige Hendrix Buckner: CEO at All Raise 14.04.2026 1ώ 9λ

  This week, we chat with Paige Hendrix Buckner!Paige is the CEO of All Raise, a nonprofit working to accelerate the success of women and non-binary venture capitalists and reshape the culture of the venture ecosystem. She previously served as All Raise’s Chief of Staff and Interim CEO before stepping into the role full time.Before joining All Raise, Paige was the COO of Founder Gym, the largest online program training underrepresented founders on how to raise venture capital.Her career spans public service, entrepreneurship, and community building. She started at Teach For America, later became Policy Director for Multnomah County in Oregon, and went on to found her own venture, ClientJoy. She also developed the TIE Young Entrepreneurs program and was a founding board member of XXcelerate, initiatives focused on helping the next generation of entrepreneurs and women founders succeed.Paige has been featured in publications like Bloomberg, Forbes, Fortune, Entrepreneur, and TechCrunch, where she shares insights on venture capital, diversity in tech, and why building a more inclusive ecosystem is critical to innovation and long-term success.✨ This episode is presented by Brex.Brex: brex.com/trailblazerspodThis episode is supported by RocketReach, Gusto, OpenPhone & Athena.RocketReach: rocketreach.co/trailblazersGusto: gusto.com/trailblazersQuo: Quo.com/trailblazersAthena: athenago.me/Erica-WengerFollow Us!Paige: @PaigeHBucknerAll Raise: @AllRaise@thetrailblazerspod: Instagram, YouTube, TikTokErica Wenger: @erica_wenger
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  Rob Schutz: Founder of Snagged 07.04.2026 1ώ 7λ

  This week, we chat with Rob Schutz!Rob is a serial entrepreneur, operator, and growth expert who’s spent his career building and scaling technology businesses that challenge outdated systems. He’s the founder of Snagged, where he helps entrepreneurs, startups, and established companies acquire premium domain names—and he’s also the co-founder of Ro, the digital health platform that’s transformed how millions of people access care and was last valued at $7 billion.Before Ro, Rob was employee number seven and later VP of Growth at Bark, where he helped take the company from zero to a $100 million run rate and ultimately to the public markets as NYSE:BARK. Earlier in his career, he worked in healthcare consulting, helping hospitals transition to digital EMRs, and even founded and sold a daily deals company called What’s the Deal—a move that set the stage for his long-term focus on marketing, growth, and scaling consumer tech.At Ro, Rob played a key role in building a vertically integrated digital clinic—combining telemedicine, pharmacy, and logistics—to make healthcare more accessible, stigma-free, and user-first. His work has helped redefine what modern healthcare can look like, especially in areas like men’s health, mental health, and chronic care.Rob is a Penn State graduate and currently lives in New Jersey with his wife, two young kids, and his dog.✨ This episode is presented by Brex.Brex: brex.com/trailblazerspodThis episode is supported by RocketReach, Gusto, OpenPhone & Athena.RocketReach: rocketreach.co/trailblazersGusto: gusto.com/trailblazersQuo: Quo.com/trailblazersAthena: athenago.me/Erica-WengerFollow Us!Rob Schutz: @robSnagged: @snagged@thetrailblazerspod: Instagram, YouTube, TikTokErica Wenger: @erica_wenger🐘 Learn more about Park Rangers Capital!
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  Mayssa Chehata: Founder of Behave Candy 31.03.2026 1ώ 7λ

  This week, we chat with Mayssa Chehata!Mayssa is the founder of BEHAVE Candy, the first low-sugar, clean-label candy designed not to spike blood sugar. Inspired by her love of sweets and her father’s diabetes, she set out to create a better alternative—partnering with chefs and food scientists to develop candy that delivers on taste while helping reduce sugar in the food system.In addition to building BEHAVE, Mayssa is also the host of the ROCK BOTTOM podcast, and is a writer and speaker.Before starting her company, she built her career across a range of well-known organizations, including the NFL, Uber, Daily Harvest, and SoulCycle.And outside of all that, she also moonlights as a DJ.✨ This episode is presented by Brex.Brex: brex.com/trailblazerspodThis episode is supported by RocketReach, Gusto, OpenPhone & Athena.RocketReach: rocketreach.co/trailblazersGusto: gusto.com/trailblazersQuo: Quo.com/trailblazersAthena: athenago.me/Erica-WengerFollow Us!Mayssa Chehata: @mayssa_c@behavecandy@thetrailblazerspod: Instagram, YouTube, TikTokErica Wenger: @erica_wenger🐘 Learn more about Park Rangers Capital!
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  Satya Patel: Co-Founding Parter of Homebrew and Screendoor 24.03.2026 1ώ 2λ

  This week we chat with Satya Patel! Satya is the co-founding General Partner of Homebrew, a seed-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco. Through Homebrew, Satya has backed some of the most impactful startups of the past decade, including Chime, Cruise, Finix, Gusto, Habi, Honor, Plaid, and Shield AI.He’s also the co-founder of Screendoor, an investment platform designed to support emerging fund managers by pairing mentorship from experienced GPs with anchor capital from world-class institutional LPs.Before becoming a venture capitalist, Satya served as VP of Product at Twitter, where he built and led the Product Management and User Services teams during a pivotal period of the company’s growth. Prior to that, he held venture and product roles across the tech ecosystem, including serving as a Partner at Battery Ventures and as a product management leader at Google.Satya has been recognized on the Forbes Midas List Seed for his track record backing category-defining companies, particularly in fintech and AI. The U.S.-born son of Indian immigrants, he grew up in Las Vegas before building a career at the intersection of technology, product, and venture capital.✨ This episode is presented by Brex.Brex: brex.com/trailblazerspodThis episode is supported by RocketReach, Gusto, OpenPhone & Athena.RocketReach: rocketreach.co/trailblazersGusto: gusto.com/trailblazersQuo: Quo.com/trailblazersAthena: athenago.me/Erica-WengerFollow Us!Satya Patel: @satyap@thetrailblazerspod: Instagram, YouTube, TikTokErica Wenger: @erica_wenger🐘 Learn more about Park Rangers Capital!
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  Kipp Bodnar: CMO at HubSpot 17.03.2026 54λ

  This week we chat with Kipp Bodnar!Kipp is the Chief Marketing Officer of HubSpot, the #1 CRM platform for scaling companies, where he leads the company’s global marketing strategy—driving awareness, demand, and growth across one of the most influential software brands in the world.Before stepping into the CMO role, Kipp served as Vice President of Marketing at HubSpot, overseeing worldwide demand generation, building out the EMEA and APAC marketing teams, and managing field marketing, localization, strategic partnerships, and social media. He’s helped shape how modern SaaS companies think about growth at scale.Beyond HubSpot, Kipp is a trusted advisor to leading SaaS companies like SimplyMeasured, InsightSquared, and Guidebook. He’s also the co-author of The B2B Social Media Book, a playbook for marketers looking to generate real results through digital channels.An industry-leading speaker, blogger, and marketing strategist, Kipp combines storytelling with data-driven execution—and has been at the forefront of how B2B marketing has evolved over the past decade.This is going to be a masterclass in modern marketing.✨ This episode is presented by Brex.Brex: brex.com/trailblazerspodThis episode is supported by RocketReach, Gusto, OpenPhone & Athena.RocketReach: rocketreach.co/trailblazersGusto: gusto.com/trailblazersQuo: Quo.com/trailblazersAthena: athenago.me/Erica-WengerFollow Us!Kipp Bodnar: @kippbodnar@thetrailblazerspod: Instagram, YouTube, TikTokErica Wenger: @erica_wenger🐘 Learn more about Park Rangers Capital!HubSpot AEO Grader: https://www.hubspot.com/aeo-graderMarketing Against The Grain Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@MATGpod
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  Delian Asparouhov: Co-Founder of Varda 10.03.2026 48λ

  This week we chat with Delian Asparouhov!Delian is a Partner at Founders Fund and the President and Co-Founder of Varda Space Industries, one of the most ambitious companies redefining what’s possible in space and manufacturing. Varda is pioneering the orbital economy by producing pharmaceuticals and advanced materials in microgravity—unlocking breakthroughs that simply can’t be achieved on Earth.Before co-founding Varda, Delian earned a Thiel Fellowship while still an undergraduate, leaving MIT to move to Silicon Valley and build at the frontier of technology. Since then, he’s become a leading voice at the intersection of startups, deep tech, and national ambition.Beyond venture and space manufacturing, Delian is also the co-creator of the Hill & Valley Forum, which brings together leaders from Washington and Silicon Valley to strengthen collaboration around technology, defense, and national security.Born abroad and raised in Salt Lake City, Delian’s journey—from a young coder obsessed with space to backing and building category-defining companies—has been anything but conventional. Driven by intellectual curiosity and an appetite for hard problems, he’s helping shape the future of both industry and exploration.✨ This episode is presented by Brex.Brex: brex.com/trailblazerspodThis episode is supported by RocketReach, Gusto, OpenPhone & Athena.RocketReach: rocketreach.co/trailblazersGusto: gusto.com/trailblazersQuo: Quo.com/trailblazersAthena: athenago.me/Erica-WengerFollow Us!Delian's Twitter: @zebulgar@thetrailblazerspod: Instagram, YouTube, TikTokErica Wenger: @erica_wenger🐘 Learn more about Park Rangers Capital!
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  Solo Episode: The Bucket Method (7-Step Time Management System) 03.03.2026 19λ

  Welcome back to Trailblazers by Park Rangers Capital!In this week’s solo episode, Erica Wenger breaks down her powerful 7-step time management framework called “The Bucket Method.”If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or constantly busy but not actually productive, this episode is your reset. Erica walks through a simple, practical system for organizing your priorities, protecting your energy, and making sure what matters most actually gets done without burnout.Clear, actionable, and easy to implement, this is a must-listen for founders, operators, and anyone serious about taking control of their time.✨ This episode is presented by Brex.Brex: brex.com/trailblazerspodThis episode is supported by Rocketreach, Gusto, OpenPhone & Athena.RocketReach: rocketreach.co/trailblazersGusto: gusto.com/trailblazersQuo (formerly OpenPhone): Quo.com/trailblazersAthena: athenago.me/Erica-WengerFollow Us!@thetrailblazerspod: Instagram, YouTube, TikTokErica Wenger: @erica_wenger🐘 Learn more about Park Rangers Capital!www.timenavi.com
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  Eric Newcomer: Founder of Newcomer 24.02.2026 53λ

  This week we chat with Eric Newcomer!Eric is the founder and writer behind Newcomer, which is a deeply reported newsletter on the inner workings of the startup industry. He’s widely regarded as one of the sharpest independent journalists and observers of power, money, and ambition in tech. He’s built Newcomer from a Substack newsletter into a must-read publication with over 100,000 subscribers.After spending six years at Bloomberg, Eric took the leap in 2020 to build Newcomer full time - breaking stories that shape how founders, investors, and operators understand the startup world. From leaked slide decks at Coatue and Tiger Global to deeply reported interviews with top venture capitalists, his work consistently uncovers breaking news. Eric is also the host of the Newcomer Podcast, which launched with a debut episode featuring Reid Hoffman, and the co-creator of major tech events like the Cerebral Valley AI Summit, bringing together CEOs from Stability, Runway, Hugging Face, and leading partners from firms like Sequoia and Greylock.Earlier in his career, Eric was the first employee at The Information, where he broke news including Amazon’s acquisition of Twitch. A Harvard graduate with a background in philosophy and a journalist’s instinct for truth, Eric has built a platform that founders and investors can’t afford to ignore.✨ This episode is presented by Brex.Brex: brex.com/trailblazerspodThis episode is supported by RocketReach, Gusto, OpenPhone & Athena.RocketReach: rocketreach.co/trailblazersGusto: gusto.com/trailblazersQuo: Quo.com/trailblazersAthena: athenago.me/Erica-WengerFollow Us!@ericnewcomer https://www.newcomer.co/@thetrailblazerspod: Instagram, YouTube, TikTokErica Wenger: @erica_wenger🐘 Learn more about Park Rangers Capital!
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  Jason Feifer: Editor in Chief at Entrepreneur Magazine 17.02.2026 1ώ 14λ

  This week we chat with Jason Feifer! Jason is the Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine, where he’s spent nearly a decade studying and telling the stories of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs. He’s also a startup advisor, keynote speaker, and a nonstop optimism machine.He’s the author of the best-selling book Build For Tomorrow, host of the hit podcast Help Wanted with over one million monthly downloads, and the writer of the weekly newsletter One Thing Better, read by more than 70,000 leaders. LinkedIn has named him a Top Voice in Entrepreneurship.Beyond media, Jason is the cofounder of CPG Fast Track, Chief Content Officer for the business community Uncharted, and a trusted advisor to startups. He’s delivered keynotes for global brands like Google, Microsoft, Pfizer, and Alibaba—helping teams turn adaptability into a competitive advantage.And above all, Jason is a husband and proud father of two, bringing heart and clarity to everything he builds.✨ This episode is presented by Brex.Brex: brex.com/trailblazerspodThis episode is supported by RocketReach, Gusto, OpenPhone & Athena.RocketReach: rocketreach.co/trailblazersGusto: gusto.com/trailblazersQuo: Quo.com/trailblazersAthena: athenago.me/Erica-WengerFollow Us!Jason Feifer: @heyfeifer@thetrailblazerspod: Instagram, YouTube, TikTokErica Wenger: @erica_wenger🐘 Learn more about Park Rangers Capital!