Give First

In this episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen sits down with James Oliver Jr., Techstars alum, entrepreneur, and author of Burn Bright, Not Out.James shares his journey navigating the pressures of high achievement and the hidden cost of hustle culture. He introduces the Burn Bright Spectrum, a framework to help founders recognize the difference between healthy ambition and burnout, and explains why rest, micro-wins, and alignment are essential to long term success.The conversation explores founder mental health, breaking stigma in the startup community, and how sustainable performance drives deeper impact than constant grind.Follow James Oliver Jr. on LinkedIn ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-oliver-jr/ Order Burn Bright, Not Out ➡️ https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Bright-Not-Out-ShatteringThe-ebook/dp/B0GG8FCCQZCheck out the Kabila Founder Mental Health Fund ➡️ https://give.socialgoodfund.org/KabilaMentalHealth?ref=ab_7QGjqr7P0pr7QGjqr7P0pr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen sits down with John Fein, partner at Firebrand Ventures and former Techstars managing director.John reflects on the winding path of his career, from moments of uncertainty to finding renewed purpose through startups, venture, and community building. He shares how small acts of generosity, like answering a random email or making an introduction, can create lasting impact and open entirely new chapters.The conversation explores John’s journey through Techstars, the evolution of Firebrand Ventures and The Hill Fund, and his long term commitment to the Kansas City startup ecosystem. Along the way, David and John discuss imposter syndrome, paying generosity forward, and why Give First is less a philosophy and more a practice that compounds over time.John Fein LinkedIn ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfein/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld talks with David Hornik, founding partner at Lobby Capital.David shares how a relationship driven approach has shaped his career in venture capital, from investing to community building. He reflects on why generosity compounds over time, how trust creates durable networks, and why long term thinking matters in both business and life.The conversation also touches on the origins of the Lobby conference, David’s connection to Adam Grant’s Give and Take, and how the Give First mindset shows up in his work with founders, students, and investors.David Hornik LinkedIn ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhornik/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen talks with Seth Levine, Partner at Foundry and co-author of Capital Evolution. Seth looks back on the early days of Techstars, the original Boulder community that shaped it, and how Foundry is approaching its final fund while still actively investing.The conversation explores why so many people are questioning capitalism today. Seth breaks down the decline in economic mobility, the growing wealth gap, and the rise of populism on both sides of the political map. He explains why he believes capitalism can still work, but only if more people have access to ownership and economic participation.Seth also shares insights from interviews featured in his book and highlights ideas like broader employee ownership, baby bonds, and modernized investing rules. He ties these themes back to the Give First mindset and how expanding opportunity can strengthen communities and the future of entrepreneurship.Seth Levine LinkedIn ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethjlevine/ Get Capital Evolution here 📖 https://www.amazon.com/Capital-Evolution-New-American-Economy/dp/1637747780  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld talks with Bala Kamallakharan, founder of Startup Iceland and a driving force behind the country’s modern startup ecosystem. Bala shares the remarkable story of moving to Mumbai to build an Icelandic bank in 2008, only to watch the entire financial system collapse overnight. Within three months, he went from launching a new bank to shutting it down, navigating canceled credit cards, emergency flights home, and the emotional aftermath of Iceland’s economic freefall.What followed was a personal reset. Returning to Iceland with no clear path forward, Bala began to rethink how the country could rebuild. His belief that new ideas and young founders could reshape the future led him to invest in early startups, create Startup Iceland, and champion the power of community-driven entrepreneurship. That work later earned him the Order of the Falcon, Iceland’s highest civilian honor.Bala reflects on uncertainty, resilience, and why believing in founders can transform not only companies but entire countries.Bala Kamallakharan LinkedIn ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/balakamallakharan  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld and Sameer Dholakia revisit the origins of Pledge 1%, the global movement helping startups build philanthropy into their business from the start.What began as a simple conversation in Boulder between Brad and Rally Software co-founder Ryan Martens grew into a worldwide initiative championed by Salesforce, Atlassian, Techstars, and thousands of founders who have pledged 1% of equity, time, or product to social impact.Brad and Sameer trace how a local idea became a global force for good, fueling billions in new philanthropy and inspiring the next generation of founders to make giving part of their growth story.Sameer Dholakia ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sameerdholakia/  Pledge 1% ➡️ https://www.pledge1percent.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld sits down with Sameer Dholakia, partner at Bessemer Venture Partners and former CEO of SendGrid, the first Techstars company to go public.When Sameer joined SendGrid, growth was slowing and the company was losing money. Under his leadership, it became a $250M business, went public, and was later acquired by Twilio.Sameer shares the story of how his mother’s advice shaped his approach to leadership and why empathy and clarity became his greatest tools as a CEO. From his first days stepping into a nervous team, to navigating “oh sh*t” moments on the path to IPO, Sameer reflects on the lessons that defined his career, and how they continue to guide his work with founders today.Sameer Dholakia ➡️ LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld sits down with Robert Glazer, 5x entrepreneur, #1 Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, and author of the new book The Compass Within.Robert shares his framework for uncovering personal core values, the principles that guide decisions, relationships, and leadership. The conversation explores why many people are climbing the wrong mountains, how self-awareness shapes growth, and why aligning words with actions may be the most important skill any founder or leader can develop.Find out more about Robert Glazer here ➡️ robertglazer.comFollow Robert Glazer on LinkedIn ➡️ linkedin.com/in/glazerThe Compass Within is out today, order your copy here ➡️ robertglazer.com/compassCheck out the Six Core Values Questions page ➡️ robertglazer.com/six Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen sits down with longtime Techstars friend Andy Sack and former Starbucks Chief Digital Officer Adam Brotman, co-CEOs of Forum3 and co-authors of AI First: The Playbook for a Future-Proof Business and Brand.They explore why AI isn’t just another vertical, but the foundation of how companies will be built, operated, and scaled in the years ahead. Andy and Adam share insights from their work on what it means to be an “AI-native” founder, why iteration and prompting are becoming core entrepreneurial skills, and how disruption could lead to billion-dollar companies run by just a handful of people.The conversation covers practical takeaways for entrepreneurs, lessons from their entrepreneurial journeys, and why adopting an AI-first mindset may be the difference between thriving and being left behind in the next wave of innovation.Get Andy and Adam’s book ➡️ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8TZDR74?ref=KC_GS_GB_US Follow Andy Sack on LinkedIn ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/andysack/ Follow Adam Brotman on LinkedIn ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/adambrotman/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld talks with Scott Dorsey, co-founder of High Alpha and former CEO of ExactTarget, the email marketing pioneer acquired by Salesforce. Scott shares his journey from launching a startup with no technical background to building a company of 2,000 employees, going public, and running Salesforce Marketing Cloud.The conversation dives into why relationships and core values matter as much as product and market, how emotional intelligence shapes leadership, and what it means to mentor by guiding rather than controlling. Scott also reflects on failure, empathy for founders, and the importance of playing multi-turn games in venture.For founders wondering how to practice give first without being taken advantage of, Scott offers timeless advice: everyone can be both a mentor and a mentee, no matter where they are in their journey.Scott Dorsey ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-dorsey-096b393/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld talks with Elizabeth Gore, co-founder and president of Hello Alice, about what it takes to build and scale a platform serving over 1.5M small business owners.Elizabeth shares how Hello Alice became a critical lifeline during COVID, launching grant programs, pivoting product builds, and creating community hubs for entrepreneurs in crisis. She reflects on the tension of running a venture-backed social enterprise, the lessons from winning a landmark federal lawsuit, and how AI and open banking could transform access to capital for underrepresented founders.This conversation shines a light on the entrepreneurs who keep our communities running, and the technology helping them thrive.Follow Elizabeth Gore here 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethgoreusa/ Check out Hello Alice 👉 https://helloalice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld reconnects with Landon Young, pre-seed investor at Elevate Ventures and a longtime builder of startup ecosystems. Landon shares stories from both sides of the table, as a founder and investor, including what it means to write the first check when a company is still just a sketch on a napkin.They revisit the early days of the Kansas City Startup Village, the ripple effects of Google Fiber and Techstars, and how a single idea sparked a movement in startup philanthropy. From coffee shop meetings to complex donations, this conversation is a powerful reminder that the smallest bets, on people, on timing, on place, can shape entire communities.Check out 👉 donateequity.com Elevate Ventures 👉https://elevateventures.com/ Follow Landon Young on LinkedIn 👉https://www.linkedin.com/in/landonyoung/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld sits down with Bobby Franklin, President and CEO of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). They unpack the disconnect between Washington, D.C., and the startup world, and why that gap poses a growing threat to innovation in the U.S.Bobby shares stories from the front lines of venture policy, illustrating how small regulatory changes can have major consequences for emerging fund managers and founders. From the unintended impact of tax reform to upcoming anti-money laundering rules, this conversation reveals the hidden obstacles that could stall the next generation of startups.Brad and Bobby also discuss how mentorship, education, and smarter policymaking can strengthen the startup ecosystem and why the venture community needs to lead that effort.Bobby Franklin ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bfranklindc/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld sits down with longtime friends and Simple Energy co-founders, Justin Segall and Yoav Lurie. Together, they revisit a pivotal moment in their startup journey, when the company was on the verge of collapse.The conversation dives into the chapter inspired by their experience in Brad’s new book, Give First, titled The Near Death of Simple Energy. They reflect on the pressure to follow investor expectations, the emotional toll of nearly losing everything, and the breakthrough conversation that helped them course-correct.Brad, Justin, and Yoav explore the power of mentorship, what it means to lead with integrity, and how staying true to your values can revive not just your company but your sense of purpose.Follow Justin Segall on LinkedIn ➡️https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinsegall/ Follow Yoav Lurie on LinkedIn ➡️https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoavlurie/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld sits down with organizational psychologist and bestselling author, Adam Grant, for a conversation about the power of generosity in business, leadership, and life.Brad and Adam trace the roots of give first and give and take, uncovering how their philosophies arrived at the same conclusion: that success isn’t about what you extract, but what you contribute.They explore why some givers thrive while others burn out, how smart generosity is often a sign of intelligence, and what it really takes to build cultures where people show up for each other. Adam also shares a how to confront takers, and maybe even convert them.Follow Brad Feld on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bfeld/) and Twitter (https://x.com/bfeld?lang=en)Follow Adam Grant on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/AdamMGrant/) and X (https://x.com/adammgrant) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld is joined by 22-time bestselling author and entrepreneur Seth Godin for a conversation that cuts to the core of leadership, impact, and what founders often get wrong.Seth reflects on his early days as an entrepreneur, the first time he met Brad, and what he’s learned since about ego, ambition, and the trap of "founder mode." Together, they explore why saying no is a gift, how systems shape behavior and the difference between building for metrics versus building for meaning.They also dive into the long-term vision behind Techstars, the value of doing hard things for the right reasons, and how real leadership starts when the spotlight fades.If you’ve ever felt pulled between doing what scales and doing what matters, this one’s for you.Check out Seth Godin's website and LinkedInFollow Brad Feld on LinkedIn and Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld sits down with Ian Hathaway, co-author of The Startup Community Way, host of Outsider Inc., and Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Far Out VC, to unpack what makes entrepreneurial ecosystems actually work.They revisit the early days of their collaboration, from Ian’s initial cold email and time in Boulder, to writing the book that reframed how founders, cities, and networks build momentum. They dive into the theory of complex adaptive systems, the power of feedback loops, and why startup success is anything but linear. Along the way, they reflect on Boulder’s influence, COVID’s inflection point, and how Techstars shaped Ian’s investing philosophy.Plus, Ian shares why he launched Outsider Inc., a podcast dedicated to founders breaking the mold, and how he’s helping push founder-friendly policies through the Center for American Entrepreneurship in Washington, D.C.If you’ve ever wondered how movements grow, how policy intersects with startups, or how to support founders outside the usual hotspots, this conversation delivers.Follow Ian Hathaway on LinkedInFollow Brad Feld on LinkedIn and X Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen and Brad Feld go deep with Lesa Mitchell on the 35-year evolution of the startup community movement. Recorded live at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, they reflect on the early days of entrepreneurship support—from the founding of EO and early angel networks to the ripple effects of the Kauffman Foundation.Together, they explore the rise of startup ecosystems, the shift from gatekeepers to networks, and how placing founders at the center reshaped everything. Brad shares pivotal moments from Boston to Boulder, Lisa brings insider context from Kauffman’s legacy, and David reflects on how it all led to Techstars. It's a look back,—and a look forward,—at the movement that transformed how startups start.Follow David Cohen on LinkedIn and TwitterFollow Brad Feld on LinkedIn and TwitterListen & subscribe to the Give First podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen and Brad Feld go deep with Lesa Mitchell on the 35-year evolution of the startup community movement. Recorded live at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, they reflect on the early days of entrepreneurship support—from the founding of EO and early angel networks to the ripple effects of the Kauffman Foundation.Together, they explore the rise of startup ecosystems, the shift from gatekeepers to networks, and how placing founders at the center reshaped everything. Brad shares pivotal moments from Boston to Boulder, Lisa brings insider context from Kauffman’s legacy, and David reflects on how it all led to Techstars. It's a look back,—and a look forward,—at the movement that transformed how startups start.Follow David Cohen on LinkedIn and TwitterFollow Brad Feld on LinkedIn and TwitterListen & subscribe to the Give First podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen sits down with Robert Wolfe, founder of Zeck and serial entrepreneur behind companies like Moosejaw and CrowdRise. Robert shares his transition from consumer brands to enterprise software—and how Zeck is modernizing how executive teams communicate, collaborate, and make decisions.They explore the inefficiencies of traditional board meetings, the role of design and clarity in leadership, and how humor and authenticity have shaped Robert’s approach to building companies. He also reflects on working with creative partners like Edward Norton and building products that scale across startups and large organizations alike.Follow David Cohen on LinkedIn and TwitterFollow Brad Feld on LinkedIn and TwitterListen & subscribe to the Give First podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.