Episodi

  • 108: Jeremy Gardner on Founding Mystic Ventures, Crypto's Evolution & Ethical Psychedelic Investing
    Jul 9 2025

    SHOW NOTES:


    Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/ywqLDnnvNB0


    Jeremy Gardner is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Mystic Ventures, a venture fund focused on psychedelic medicine.

    In this episode, Jeremy joins the podcast to share his journey from rebellious youth to impactful investor. He discusses his early work in crypto, passion for psychedelics, views on masculinity, and the importance of empathy in leadership and life. We also explore his filmmaking journey and direct philanthropic work that’s changing lives around the world.


    Chapters:

    00:00 – Existential Drive & Crypto Disillusionment Jeremy talks about being driven by impact, not money, and shares insights from the crypto industry.

    07:25 – Van Life & Love for Colorado Jeremy discusses traveling in a camper van, visiting Colorado, and enjoying nature and freedom.

    11:02 – Childhood & Upbringing in Northampton He reflects on growing up in a progressive town and how that shaped his worldview.

    18:40 – School Struggles & Formative Japan Experience Jeremy shares about getting arrested, ADHD, and a life-changing stint in Japan as a kid.

    26:25 – College Chaos & Rediscovering Purpose Stories of dropping out, psychedelic revelations, and developing a self-designed major at Bard.

    34:15 – Political Internship & Occupy Wall Street Roots Jeremy details his work at the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and how Occupy led him to crypto.

    42:50 – Founding the Blockchain Education Network How Jeremy launched a global student movement that became foundational in crypto education.

    50:00 – Reflections on Crypto’s Evolution He critiques the industry’s trajectory, Wall Street influences, and his return to crypto with a new company.

    55:42 – MadeMan Skincare & Positive Masculinity Jeremy shares the vision behind his skincare brand aimed at redefining masculinity.

    1:00:05 – Psychedelics, Purpose & Mystic Ventures His lifelong relationship with psychedelics and launching Mystic Ventures to support ethical psychedelic businesses.

    1:10:50 – Investing Ethically & Impact Over Profit Jeremy discusses founder alignment, success metrics, and why impact drives his portfolio decisions.

    1:18:15 – Filmmaking & Crypto Castle Productions From dream to reality—producing films, lessons from Cannes to Netflix, and staying creatively fulfilled.

    1:28:50 – Making Impact Tangible Stories of helping people directly, including funding food aid in Afghanistan and empowering entrepreneurs.

    1:36:40 – Global Empathy, Conflict & Perspective Deep dive into Middle East politics, the need for empathy, and perspectives on conflict and identity.

    1:45:35 – Legacy, Gratitude & What Matters Most Jeremy reflects on life satisfaction, fulfillment, and what he’s most grateful for if it all ended tomorrow.


    Jeremy:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jg1578/

    https://www.instagram.com/gonzogardner/

    https://x.com/Disruptepreneur

    Mystic Ventures:

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/mystic-ventures/

    https://venture.angellist.com/v/back/mystic-ventures-2


    Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker

    Producer: Kait Grey

    Editor: Nick Case


    Recording date: 6/16/25

    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    1 ora e 23 min
  • 107: Bryan Mauk shares lessons in the unhoused community, recovery, and scaling social enterprise for justice reform
    Jul 2 2025

    SHOW NOTES:


    Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/D7zlefTWd5g


    Bryan Mauk is a passionate social entrepreneur and advocate for criminal justice and drug policy reform. He currently leads End It For Good, championing health-centered approaches to addiction and incarceration, building on decades of grassroots and executive experience in housing, reentry, and digital access.


    In this episode, Bryan and Jeffrey discuss social impact, recovery & scaling reform. Bryan also shares his journey from teen volunteer to national nonprofit leader. Learn how his early work with the unhoused inspired a lifelong mission of healing trauma, empowering second chances, and advancing compassionate drug policy with End It For Good.


    Chapters:

    0:00 - Intro Clip

    0:55 - What Motivates You?

    2:50 - Early Life

    10:23 - College Experience

    17:53 - PC's for People

    21:33 - End It For Good

    26:47 - Making Your Mark

    37:21 - Upcoming Initiatives

    41:54 - When Work Affected Change

    46:54 - Mentor

    50:35 - Ask Jeff a Question

    52:21 - Most Grateful for

    54:11 - Most Proud of

    56:35 - Snap Your Fingers

    59:47 - How to Support


    Bryan:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-mauk-77a04310/


    End It For Good:

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/enditforgoodms/

    https://enditforgood.com/

    https://www.instagram.com/enditforgoodms/

    https://www.facebook.com/EndItForGoodMS/


    Other resources:

    The PBS documentary “Her Time” is actually called “Apart” - https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/apart/


    Free copy of End It For Good founder Christina Dent’s book, Curious: A Foster Mom's Discovery of an Unexpected Solution to Drugs and Addiction, to the first 5 listeners that email them at curious@enditforgood.com and include the name People are the Answer!


    Christina Dent’s been on PatA podcast twice: Episode #’s 4 and 94


    Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker

    Producer: Kait Grey

    Editor: Nick Case


    Recording date: 4/24/25


    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    1 ora e 2 min
  • 106: Taylor West on advancing psychedelic policy, aligning incentives with humanity, and mindful parenting
    Jun 25 2025

    SHOW NOTES:


    Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/NO9xrHpgBOc


    In Episode 106 of People Are the Answer, Taylor West, Executive Director of the Healing Advocacy Fund, joins Jeffrey Zucker to discuss her path from political advocacy to pioneering work in psychedelic-assisted therapy policy. Taylor opens up about the human side of policymaking, the challenges and revelations of parenting, and her vision for realigning economic incentives to better serve humanity. A powerful conversation on healing, storytelling, and purposeful change.


    Chapters:

    • 0:00 - Intro Clip

    • 1:26 - Introductions

    • 2:35 - What Motivates You?

    • 6:28 - Where did you grow up?

    • 14:42 - Policy Reform

    • 19:50 - First Steps Post College

    • 29:21 - Political Campaigning

    • 35:52 - Legalization of Adult Use Cannabis

    • 44:36 - Psychedelics

    • 57:19 - Healing Advocacy Fund

    • 1:07:16 - Finding Balance

    • 1:14:14 - When Work Affected Change

    • 1:17:23 - Ask Jeff a Question

    • 1:20:59 - Most Grateful for

    • 1:29:27 - Snap Your Fingers

    • 1:33:41 - How to Support


    Taylor:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-west-34736455/

    Healing Advocacy Fund:

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/healing-advocacy-fund/

    https://healingadvocacyfund.org/

    Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker

    Producer: Kait Grey

    Editor: Nick Case
    Recording date: 4/9/25


    📣 Share your story to support the movement

    💬 Subscribe for more human-centered conversations

    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    1 ora e 36 min
  • 105: Bennie Fowler on NFL Transition, Leadership, and Finding Purpose After Football
    Jun 18 2025

    SHOW NOTES:


    Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/Eu4LRqArAj4


    Bennie Fowler is a Super Bowl-winning former NFL wide receiver turned leadership coach, speaker, and author. Drawing on his experience with elite teams and iconic quarterbacks, he now empowers individuals and organizations through mentorship, mindset training, and purpose-driven communication.


    Chapters:

    • 0:58 - Intro

    • 2:33 - What Motivates You?

    • 7:07 - Where Did You Grow Up?

    • 10:42 - Giving Back

    • 16:00 - Collegiate Ball

    • 21:53 - Peyton Manning's Last Career Pass

    • 23:32 - Denver

    • 26:12 - Sports Retirement

    • 29:21 - Silver Spoon: The Imperfect Guide to Success

    • 32:35 - Life After Retirement

    • 37:06 - Entrepreneurship

    • 39:04 - When Work Affected Change

    • 40:24 - Mentors

    • 44:12 - Staying Involved with the Broncos

    • 47:26 - Most Grateful for

    • 48:40 - Snap Your Fingers

    • 51:23 - How to Support


    Bennie:

    ​​https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennie-fowler-iii-a43027173/

    https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/silver-spoon-the-imperfect-guide-to-success_bennie-fowler/26139897/item/53977891/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=low_vol_backlist_standard_shopping_retention_17605068861&utm_adgroup=&utm_term=&utm_content=606977662558&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwna6_BhCbARIsALId2Z22cnMpSd6JxaINLz3xMZpYNXt9ShwBCuoRKPRiL0Zzbmg1Fe9GUn8aAmBkEALw_wcB#idiq=53977891&edition=27636296


    CapRock:

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/caprock-alignedwealth/

    ​​https://caprock.com/


    Other resources:

    Broncos podcast - https://thednvr.com/broncos/podcast/page/2/


    Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker

    Producer: Kait Grey

    Editor: Nick Case


    Recording date: 4/8/25

    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    52 min
  • 104: Pamela Metzger on Systemic Justice Reform
    Feb 26 2025

    Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/j_ArBxK8Gfk


    Pamela Metzger, Director of the Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center at SMU, shares her transformative journey as a dedicated public defender who navigated the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, advocating for thousands of detainees in New Orleans. Discover how this life-changing experience led to systemic reforms in criminal justice, focusing on the right to counsel and prosecutorial practices. Learn about the innovative approaches being implemented to ensure justice and empathy in the legal system.


    Chapters:

    0:00 - Clip

    0:56 - Intro

    1:32 - What Motivates You?

    4:50 - Law School

    6:54 - Upbringing

    12:14 - Women's Resources

    17:24 - Steps After Law School

    20:33 - Running University Clinics

    22:25 - Katrina

    37:20 - When You Were Recruited

    42:47 - AI

    52:02 - Randomized Control

    58:01 - Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center

    59:37 - To Those Who Think Everyone in CJ System is Bad

    1:06:44 - Reaching Across the Aisle

    1:12:42 - Passions Outside of Criminal Justice

    1:16:43 - Most Grateful for

    1:18:53 - Snap Your Fingers

    1:20:37 - How to Support


    Pamela Metzger:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-metzger-07b90715a/


    Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center:

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/deasoncenter/

    https://www.smu.edu/law/centers-and-initiatives/deason-center

    https://www.instagram.com/smulawdeason/


    Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker

    Producer: Kait Grey

    Editor: Nick Case


    Recording date: 1/30/25

    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    1 ora e 16 min
  • 103: Pip Lawrence on growing up on the nonprofit world, neuroscience, Wall Street in ‘08, and psychedelic therapy
    Jan 15 2025

    Show notes:

    In this episode, Pip Lawrence, the co-founder and Managing Partner of Delphi VC, and Jeffrey Zucker discuss growing up in the nonprofit world, neuroscience, Wall Street in ‘08, and psychedelic therapy.

    Chapters:

    0:00 - Intro

    2:09 - Delphi VC

    4:03 - What Motivates You?

    8:24 - What Made You Want to Give Back?

    11:30 - From College to VC

    18:46 - Cognitive Neuroscience and Art

    26:27 - Psychedelics

    32:44 - Balancing Mission and Impact

    38:26 - Delphi's Portfolio

    45:38 - Toxins in Cannabis

    50:48 - Women's Health

    54:57 - Conservation

    1:00:45 - Great Grandson of a Congressman

    1:04:51 - AI & Lessons from the Holocaust

    1:14:52 - Snap Your Fingers

    1:16:41 - How to Support


    Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/hP-R3gsLeBQ


    Delphi VC:

    https://www.delphi.vc/

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/delphi-vc/

    https://www.instagram.com/delphi.vc/

    https://x.com/Delphi_VC


    Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker

    Producer: Kait Grey

    Editor: Nick Case


    Recording date: 12/11/24

    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    1 ora e 18 min
  • 102: Dr. Rick Doblin on activism, psychedelics, epigenetics, and generational trauma
    Dec 18 2024

    Dr. Rick Doblin, founder of Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), and Jeff Zucker discuss activism, psychedelics, epigenetics, generational trauma, and more.


    Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/xlsVDPRvDtE


    Chapters:

    0:00 - Intro

    2:34 - People are the Answer

    4:37 - Put it Into Practice

    5:56 - Intention

    10:24 - Fear and Motivation

    12:05 - What Motivates You?

    19:45 - How Relatives Coped with the Holocaust

    24:36 - Epigenetics of Trauma

    26:29 - Giving Back in Early Life

    33:43 - Global Spirituality

    39:49 - What Lead to Starting MAPS?

    52:44 - How Do We Move Forward with MDMA?

    57:08 - State Level an Option?

    1:00:28 - MAPS Cannabis Project

    1:02:18 - Medical Cannabis in SC

    1:05:02 - How Do You Avoid Burnout?

    1:07:18 - What is MAPS Working on Now?

    1:11:04 - Oregon Recriminalization

    1:13:17 - Snap Your Fingers

    1:15:26 - How to Support


    Rick Doblin:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickdoblin/

    https://www.instagram.com/rickdoblinphd/


    MAPS:

    https://maps.org/

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/mapsnews/

    https://www.instagram.com/maps__org/

    https://www.facebook.com/mapsmdma

    https://twitter.com/MAPS

    https://www.youtube.com/c/mapsmdma

    https://www.reddit.com/user/MAPSPsychedelic/?rdt=36196


    Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker

    Producer: Kait Grey

    Editor: Nick Case


    Recording date: 12/3/24

    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    1 ora e 16 min
  • 101: Cortney Woodruff on democratizing world class education
    Nov 20 2024

    Show notes:


    In this episode, Cortney and Jeffrey discuss his learnings in his grandparents grocery store as a kid, his dedication to academics, how he sometimes spent years opening up opportunities, building and growing a business that helped fitness trainers build thriving businesses, living all over the world, changing education, and much more


    Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qknWDZeSCDw


    Learn more:


    Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker

    Producer: Kait Grey

    Editor: Nick Case


    Recording date: 10/31/24


    Cortney Woodruff:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortney-woodruff-7182222b/

    https://www.instagram.com/tvcort/


    Assemble:

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/assembleftobegreat/

    https://www.assemble.fyi/

    https://www.instagram.com/assemble.fyi/

    https://x.com/AssembleFYi


    Bio:

    Cortney Woodruff is the American tech investor, entrepreneur, and founder, CEO of Trainersvault as well as the Co-founder & CEO of the online education platform, Assemble. The international businessman and former Division 1 athlete integrates fitness, finance, tech, and entertainment to empower Black and brown youth through instruction. Woodruff’s mission merges worlds and creates opportunity by connecting Black thought leaders across industries to a broad learning community. The Jackson, Mississippi native has lived in over 10 cities across the United States, Europe, and Asia throughout a self-started career raising seed capital. Dedicated to normalizing success in the Black community, his work combines an expansive worldview with a thriving professional network. Woodruff lives in Los Angeles, California.


    Chapters:

    0:00 - Intro

    3:36 - What motivates you?

    4:35 - Early Life

    9:01 - Success in Mississippi

    11:59 - Education

    17:10 - First Start Up

    19:11 - Trainer's Vault

    44:13 - Assemble

    56:12 - How to Access Assemble

    56:59 - How Does Assemble Recruit Experts?

    59:54 - Future of Assemble

    1:02:59 - Evolution of Education

    1:09:16 - When Work Affected Change

    1:12:39 - Ask Jeff a Question

    1:16:30 - Snap Your Fingers

    1:20:06 - How to Support

    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    1 ora e 22 min