In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with Mike Conover, founder and CEO of Brightwave, for an in-depth conversation about artificial intelligence, investing, and the hidden structures that shape our world.Mike begins by sharing his academic roots in complexity and network science at Indiana University, where he studied how information, disease, and influence spread across interconnected systems. From modeling airline networks and pandemics to analyzing early social media polarization, he explains how understanding complex systems led him into machine learning and ultimately into building AI products.The conversation turns to the launch of ChatGPT and why it surprised even experts. Mike explains the breakthrough moments that made generative AI feel different from previous waves of technology, breaking down concepts like gradient descent, model training, and the emergence of autonomous AI agents in practical terms. He shares what it was like staying up late experimenting with early models and realizing the world had shifted.Dan and Mike then dive into Brightwave, the AI-powered research platform built for investment professionals. Mike explains how AI agents can analyze massive data rooms, connect details across documents, surface long-tail risks, and generate structured outputs such as financial models. They discuss how these systems augment human judgment rather than replace it, helping investors move faster and think more comprehensively while still relying on experience and context.Learn more about Brightwave: https://brightwave.ioOrder Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookListen to Dan's Song Stretch: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dancaruso/stretchCheck out music by Jason Mendelson (Jace Allen): https://www.youtube.com/@jaceallen To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty for a candid conversation about prosecuting serious crime, leading through public crises, and what the Attorney General’s job demands.

Michael reflects on his path from prosecuting homicide and sex crimes in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office to leading Boulder County as DA. He shares how that experience shaped his approach to complex cases, including human trafficking, domestic violence, and public corruption, as well as his work launching Colorado’s first human trafficking unit.

The conversation covers Michael’s hands-on role in responding to major events such as the King Soopers mass shooting and the Marshall Fire, and how prosecutors coordinate with law enforcement and federal partners during emergencies. Michael also explains Boulder County’s use of diversion, mental health programs, and risk assessment tools to reduce repeat offenses while improving public safety.

Dan and Michael discuss crime trends in Colorado, why consistent enforcement of the rule of law matters, and the dangers of politicizing the justice system. Michael also explains what the Attorney General’s office does day to day and why experience, independence, and integrity matter when leading Colorado’s largest law office.

Learn more about Michael Dougherty: https://www.michaelforag.com/

Reach out to: hello@michaelforag.com

Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/book

Listen to Dan's Song Stretch: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dancaruso/stretch

Check out music by Jason Mendelson (Jace Allen): https://www.youtube.com/@jaceallen

To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with Ebs Burnough, award-winning filmmaker, producer, and Chair of the Board of the Sundance Institute, for a wide-ranging conversation on storytelling, cultural impact, and the future of independent film.As Sundance prepares for its final year in Park City and its historic move to Boulder, Ebs reflects on the Institute’s mission, Robert Redford’s founding principles, and why nurturing artists rather than chasing commercial outcomes has always been at the heart of Sundance. Drawing on his experience as a documentary filmmaker, former White House communications leader during the Obama administration, and longtime cultural strategist, Ebs shares how storytelling shapes politics, technology, and community alike.They explore Sundance’s artist labs, the power of convening creators in physical spaces, and why human connection matters more than ever in a post-COVID, AI-accelerated world. Ebs also weighs in on how artificial intelligence is transforming creative work, both the promise and the risk, and why better storytelling around new technology is essential to avoid fear-driven outcomes.The conversation touches on legacy, community-building, the evolving role of festivals, and why Boulder and Colorado more broadly offer a rare opportunity to reimagine what Sundance can be for the next 40 years.Learn more about the Sundance Institute: https://www.sundance.org/Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookListen to Dan's Song Stretch: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dancaruso/stretchCheck out music by Jason Mendelson (Jace Allen): https://www.youtube.com/@jaceallen To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com