Best Team Ignite Ventures Podcasts (2025)

1
Ignite Markets: The Hidden Power of Microcaps and Why Big Investors Miss It with Steve Kann | Ep166 1:00:27

6h ago1:00:27

1:00:27

Steve Kann is a Partner at Ocean Street Partners, a prolific investor, capital markets strategist, and Amazon #1 bestselling author of Microcap Magic. With over 30 years of experience in investment banking, public markets, and entrepreneurship, Steve has advised or raised over $1 billion in deals. He’s known for uncovering massive value in overlook…

1
#37 | Mastering Career Growth Without Compromising Yourself - with Melody Wilding 43:36

3d ago43:36

43:36

In this episode, I sit down with executive coach and author Melody Wilding to explore what it really means to trust yourself and create success on your own terms. Together, we dive into the complexities of being a high achiever – from breaking free of the "honor roll hangover" to the delicate balance between self-advocacy and humility at work. Melo…

1
Ignite VC: The Art of Pattern Recognition in Venture with Benjamin Bryant | Ep165 1:06:54

9d ago1:06:54

1:06:54

What do Looney Tunes, hedge funds, and a $10M smartwatch Kickstarter have in common? For Benjamin Bryant, they’re all part of the unlikely path that led him to become one of the most prolific early-stage investors in YC history. A former VFX engineer turned Pebble exec turned venture fund builder, Benjamin now runs the AngelList Demo Day Funds—back…

1
#36 Possibility Thinking: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything 10:30

9d ago10:30

10:30

In this episode, I talk about the human brain’s built-in negativity bias—and how learning to shift into possibility thinking can completely change how you move through challenges. I share how this mindset helped me transform my business during the pandemic, and why asking “What is possible?” is one of the most powerful questions you can practice. I…

1
Ignite VC: How Alex Norman Is Rewiring Canada’s Startup Scene and Go-To-Market Gaps | Ep164 1:06:57

14d ago1:06:57

1:06:57

What happens when a Bay Street dealmaker trades spreadsheets for seed rounds—and turns Canada’s next wave of startups into a global force? Alex Norman, co-founder of N49P and Canadian partner of TechTO, went from investment banking and private equity to becoming one of the country’s most connected early-stage investors and ecosystem builders. Throu…

1
Ignite Markets: Chris Zaccarelli on Active Investing, AI, and the Future of Asset Management | Ep163 43:29

15d ago43:29

43:29

What if one of the sharpest minds in finance wasn’t shaped by textbooks—but by watching Lehman Brothers collapse from the inside? Chris Zaccarelli, CIO of Northlight Asset Management and co-founder of Beacon Capital Advisory Group, went from coding derivatives at Goldman Sachs to redefining how everyday investors navigate risk, recession, and retur…

1
#35 The Best-Kept Secret in Sales (That’s Not Really About Sales)- with Doug Weaver 51:47

17d ago51:47

51:47

How would your relationships—both personal and professional—change if you focused less on getting the ‘yes’ and more on creating real connection? In this episode, I talk with Doug Weaver, who shares powerful lessons from his 25 years of training sales professionals—insights that go beyond sales and speak to the heart of human connection. Drawing on…

1
Ignite VC: Kristina Simmons on the Future of Purpose-Driven Venture Capital | Ep162 45:47

23d ago45:47

45:47

What if one of the boldest early-stage investors in frontier tech got her start chasing down a job over yoga pants and no website? Kristina Simmons, founder and managing partner of Overwater Ventures, began her career launching Lululemon’s e-commerce before rising through the ranks at Andreessen Horowitz and Khosla Ventures. Now she’s channeling th…

1
Ignite Startups: Colin McIntosh on Building a Viral DTC Brand with Humor | Ep161 49:45

24d ago49:45

49:45

What if the most viral bedding brand in America was born not from a lifelong passion—but from a movie scene that made its founder furious? Colin McIntosh, founder and CEO of Sheets & Giggles, turned a rage-fueled reaction to War Dogs into a fast-growing, pun-powered DTC bedding company built on eucalyptus, humor, and heart. A Techstars alum, former…

1
#34 Stop searching for your purpose -- do this instead 12:45

24d ago12:45

12:45

What if your purpose isn’t something you find “out there,” but something you uncover within? In this episode, I explore the often-misunderstood idea of life purpose—and why it’s not about chasing a single, grand mission. Together, we’ll reframe what purpose really means, why it’s allowed to evolve, and how to uncover yours. "Watch this and other ep…

1
Ignite AI: Daniel Hulme on AI’s Next Leap, Machine Consciousness and the Future of Work | Ep160 59:10

28d ago59:10

59:10

What if the person shaping the future of AI at one of the world’s biggest companies started by modeling the brains of bumblebees? Daniel Hulme, Chief AI Officer at WPP and founder of Satalia (acquired by WPP), is a rare hybrid: academic, founder, and futurist. Now he’s building Consium—the first commercial research organization focused on machine c…

1
#33 The Power of Life Experiments, Gratitude, and Curiosity with AJ Jacobs 48:34

1M ago48:34

48:34

In this episode, I sit down with the endlessly curious NYT best-selling author AJ Jacobs, the self-proclaimed “human guinea pig,” to explore the transformative power of life experiments. Together, we dive into how gratitude, curiosity, and a willingness to step outside of our comfort zones can open doors to personal growth and deeper understanding.…

1
Ignite Brand: Why Founders Must Become the Face of Their Brand with Michelle B. Griffin | Ep159 39:57

1M ago39:57

39:57

If your startup’s logo disappeared tomorrow, would anyone still remember your brand? Today’s guest, Michelle B. Griffin, knows exactly why the answer matters. As a Forbes-featured visibility strategist, author of The LinkedIn Branding Book, and founder of Brand Leaders, Michelle has built a career helping B2B founders stop hiding behind logos and s…

1
Ignite VC: How Accelerators Shaped Jenny Fielding’s Vision for the Future of Startups | Ep158 51:57

1M ago51:57

51:57

What if your first investor didn’t just invest in startups—but had personally helped launch thousands? Jenny Fielding, former Managing Director at Techstars and now Co-Founder of Everywhere Ventures, has been behind some of the biggest startup successes you’ve heard of—and is now reimagining how early-stage investing works in a borderless world. Fr…

1
Ignite Exits: How Hubly Scaled Vertical SaaS for Advisors with Louis Retief | Ep157 54:44

1M ago54:44

54:44

What if your biggest startup insight came not from a spreadsheet—but from knocking on 150 doors and listening? Louis Retief is the co-founder and former CEO of Hubly, a vertical SaaS platform that reimagined how financial advisors manage compliance, capacity, and client service. What began as a peer-to-peer lending idea pivoted—through sheer grit a…

1
#32 Hope Redefined: How to Use It to Lead in Uncertainty 15:43

1M ago15:43

15:43

How do you cultivate hope when everything feels uncertain? In this episode, I dive into the power of hope and why it’s not the same as blind optimism. Hope is a mental quality—one that can be nurtured and is essential for resilience and success, especially in challenging times. Through the story of Apollo 13, I show how hope can fuel problem-solvin…

1
Ignite VC: Samyr Laine on Celebrity-Driven Consumer Startups That Actually Scale | Ep156 1:06:46

1M ago1:06:46

1:06:46

What if your first investor not only knew how to scale a brand—but had built them alongside Jay-Z, Will Smith, and Kevin Hart? Samyr Laine, Olympic triple jumper turned Harvard-trained lawyer and VC, is the co-founder of Freedom Trail Capital—a venture firm backing consumer brands at the intersection of culture, lifestyle, and influence. From Roc N…

1
Ignite Startups: Building the Agentic Finance Team of the Future with Erin Kim | Ep155 28:38

1M ago28:38

28:38

What happens when a finance-savvy product leader, obsessed with automating herself out of a job, meets the generational shift in AI? Erin Kim, former Carta exec and investment banker turned founder, is reimagining what a finance team even is. Now CEO of Mesh, Erin is building a fully agentic AI-powered finance team—starting with automated bookkeepi…

1
#31 Own Your Story: How to Speak with Passion & Purpose with Talia Jackqueline 44:55

2M ago44:55

44:55

In this episode, I sit down with Talia for a real, heartfelt conversation about something we all struggle with—talking about what we do in a way that feels alive and exciting. We dig into the societal norms and self-awareness hurdles that often hold us back from showing up fully in conversations. Talia introduces the "Three P's" framework (pain, pr…

1
Ignite VC: The Art of Early Bets and Founder Evaluation with Mike Ghaffary | Ep154 1:12:03

2M ago1:12:03

1:12:03

What if cracking video game copy protection as a teenager could someday lead you to reshape how Main Street businesses adopt AI? Mike Ghaffary’s journey is anything but typical: from reverse-engineering games at age 12 to co-founding Stitcher (acquired for $300M) and scaling Eat24 to $750M GMV as Yelp’s Head of BD turned CEO. Now as General Partner…

1
Ignite VC: How Ali Jamal of First Check Ventures Built a Global VC Fund from $1K Checks | Ep153 1:09:12

2M ago1:09:12

1:09:12

What if your first check came from someone who actually understood your scrappy MVP, your emerging market, and your ramen-burn rate lifestyle? Ali Jamal, global operator turned full-time investor, is the founding partner of First Check Ventures—one of AngelList’s most prolific syndicates, now evolved into a pre-seed fund backing founders in 30+ cou…

1
#30 How to handle failure and disappointment 17:05

2M ago17:05

17:05

How do you move through failure without getting stuck in it? In this solo episode, I’m getting real about something we all face—but rarely talk about honestly: failure and disappointment. I share some personal stories and walk you through a 3-step framework to help you process setbacks in a way that actually supports your growth. We’ll talk about w…

1
Ignite Startups: Why Agentic Commerce Is the Next Big Wave in Retail Tech with Alain Denzler | Ep152 1:12:19

2M ago1:12:19

1:12:19

What if your favorite store knew exactly what you wanted—before you even asked? Alain Denzler, bootstrapped founder turned AI commerce pioneer, is making that vision real. As co-founder and CEO of getitAI, Alain is transforming e-commerce with AI-powered live store avatars that act like personal shoppers—turning product pages into real-time, high-c…

1
#29 Redefining Success on Your Terms with Denise Brown MD 39:18

2M ago39:18

39:18

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Denise Brown to talk about reinvention, personal satisfaction, and what it really means for women to define success on their own terms. Denise’s journey—from doctor to CEO to author—is a powerful example of how curiosity, flexibility, and the courage to ask for help can open unexpected doors. We dive …

1
Ignite Startups: Cameron Long on Reinventing Business Valuations with AI-Powered Precision | Ep151 35:17

2M ago35:17

35:17

What if business valuations were as fast and affordable as ordering an Uber? Cameron Long, ex-consultant turned fintech founder, is betting on it. As COO and co-founder of ValueBuddy, Cameron is helping banks ditch the $5K, 3-week manual appraisals for AI-powered reports that cost half as much and arrive in days. With roots in management consulting…

1
Ignite Startups: How Odynn Powers Better Travel Redemption Platforms with John Taylor Garner | Ep150 55:46

2M ago55:46

55:46

What do derivatives trading and credit card points have in common? More than you'd think—especially when the person connecting the dots is John Taylor Garner. As the former volatility trader turned founder & CEO of Odynn, John is building the infrastructure to fix the fractured world of loyalty rewards. Named to Focusrite’s 35 Under 35 and featured…

1
Ignite VC: The Case for High-Velocity Investing in a Power Law World with Peter Livingston | Ep149 1:07:42

2M ago1:07:42

1:07:42

In this episode of the Ignite Podcast, Brian Bell interviews Peter Livingston, founder and GP of Unpopular Ventures. Peter shares how his journey from being the first engineer at iRhythm to an angel investor was shaped by early lessons in under-compensation and startup chaos. After a frustrating experience with equity negotiations, he pursued an MB…

1
#28 How to get great at change - 3 mindset shifts 17:04

2M ago17:04

17:04

How do you embrace change instead of resisting it? In this episode, I share a personal story about a lost painting, a keynote speech, and an unexpected lesson in reinvention. Change is constant, but how we respond to it determines whether we grow or stay stuck. I dive into the mindset shifts that help us navigate uncertainty—focusing on possibiliti…

1
Ignite People: Unlocking the Future of Work with People Analytics with Cole Napper | Ep148 1:03:02

2M ago1:03:02

1:03:02

In this episode of the Ignite Podcast, Brian Bell sits down with Cole Napper, a leading voice in people analytics, workforce planning, and talent intelligence. As VP of Research at Lightcast and co-host of the "Directionally Correct" podcast, Cole brings a wealth of knowledge from his experience leading HR innovations at global organizations like F…

1
Ignite VC: Investing in the Next Wave of AI-Driven Startups with Xan Wood | Ep147 1:03:10

2M ago1:03:10

1:03:10

In this episode of the Ignite Podcast, Brian Bell sits down with Xan Wood, investor at Canvas Ventures, to explore his unconventional path into venture capital. From building an events business in Edinburgh to working in private equity across Asia, Xan shares how his diverse global experience led him to co-found Courtyard Ventures at Berkeley and u…

1
Ignite Markets: Kevin Carter on the Future of Global Investing and Emerging Markets | Ep146 1:09:37

2M ago1:09:37

1:09:37

In this episode of The Ignite Podcast, host Brian Bell sits down with Kevin Carter, founder and CIO of EMQQ Global, to explore the evolution of emerging market investing. Kevin shares his unconventional entry into finance—hired after a 20-minute chat about college basketball—and how reading Burton Malkiel’s A Random Walk Down Wall Street shaped his…

1
#27 The Science of Failing Well with Amy Edmondson 38:21

2M ago38:21

38:21

What if failure wasn’t something to fear, but a doorway to learning and growth? In this episode, I sit down with Harvard professor and best-selling author Amy Edmondson to explore the surprising upside of failure, inspired by her new book, Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well. Amy shares her concept of “intelligent failure”—a thoughtful…

1
Ignite VC: How to Win Competitive Deals in Venture Capital with Simon Wu | Ep145 1:25:15

3M ago1:25:15

1:25:15

In this episode of Ignite Podcast, host Brian Bell welcomes Simon Wu, a partner at Cathay Innovation, a global venture capital firm managing billions in assets. Simon shares his journey from his early days building computers as a teenager to working in M&A at VMware and UBS before transitioning into venture capital. He reflects on how his backgroun…

1
#26 Entrepreneurship and Self-Discovery with Sreenath Reddy 46:13

3M ago46:13

46:13

In this episode, I chat with Sreenath Reddy to dive deep into the world of entrepreneurship, reinvention, and the personal journey of self-discovery. We explore his experiences growing up in India, the challenges he faced starting a business in the U.S., and how cultural influences shape entrepreneurial paths. Together, we discuss how true reinvent…

1
Ignite Startups: How AI is Transforming Front-End Development with Kevin Michael of Tempo | #144 52:48

3M ago52:48

52:48

In this episode of Ignite Podcast, host Brian Bell welcomes Kevin Michael, the co-founder and CEO of Tempo Labs, an AI-powered development platform revolutionizing front-end collaboration. Kevin shares his journey from engineering roles at Microsoft and Perpetua to founding Tempo Labs, where he identified a gap in low-code development tools. Unlike…

1
Ignite VC: Adeo Ressi on The Future of Startups, Funding, and the Power of AI in VC | #143 1:07:35

3M ago1:07:35

1:07:35

In this episode of the Ignite Podcast, host Brian Bell sits down with serial entrepreneur and investor Adeo Ressi, co-founder of VC Lab and Decile Group. Adeo shares his journey from launching billion-dollar startups in his early career to reshaping the venture capital industry. He recounts his experience with Elon Musk during their formative years…

1
#25 Uncovering Your Soul's Purpose 15:26

3M ago15:26

15:26

In this episode, I explore the Acorn Theory—a powerful idea from James Hillman that suggests each of us has an inner essence, a soul’s purpose, waiting to be uncovered. I share my own journey of self-discovery, the courage it takes to align with your true calling, and why finding purpose isn’t about overthinking—it’s about actively engaging with li…

1
Ignite Startups: The Future of AI Voice Tech with Sidhant Kabra of Vocera | #142 40:47

3M ago40:47

40:47

In this episode of the Ignite Podcast, host Brian Bell sits down with Sidhant Kabra, co-founder of Vocera, a startup pioneering AI voice agent testing and observability. Sidhant shares his journey from growing up in Jamshedpur, studying at IIT Bombay, and working in consulting before venturing into the world of AI-driven voice technology. His initi…

1
Ignite Startups: How AI is Automating Accounts Payable with Adam Barbera of Dost | #141 35:00

3M ago35:00

35:00

In this episode of Ignite Podcast, host Brian Bell welcomes Adam Barbera, the CEO and founder of Dost, an AI-powered accounts payable co-pilot that automates invoice and delivery note management. Adam shares his journey from a background in Java engineering and enterprise sales at SAP and Tech Data to founding Dost. His experience in large-scale bu…

1
Ignite Startups: Frank Sondors on Transforming Outbound Sales & Email Personalization | #140 44:51

3M ago44:51

44:51

In this episode of the Ignite Podcast, host Brian Bell welcomes Frank Sondors, co-founder and CEO of Salesforge, an AI-powered sales platform revolutionizing outbound email deliverability and personalization. With over a decade in B2B sales, Frank shares his journey from individual contributor to leading a company that has rapidly scaled to million…

1
#24 Giving Up Rigid Goals for Tiny Experiments with Anne-Laure Le Cunff 45:26

3M ago45:26

45:26

In this episode, I talk with with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, neuroscientist and author of Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World, to explore how shifting from a rigid, goal-oriented mindset to one of joyful experimentation can unlock personal growth and fulfillment. We talk about the fear of not having all the answers, the power of…

1
Ignite Startups: How Startups Can Leverage Global Talent to Scale Faster with Ilya Brotzky | #139 34:01

3M ago34:01

34:01

In this episode of the Ignite Podcast, host Brian Bell sits down with Ilya Brotzky, CEO and co-founder of VanHack, a global tech talent recruitment platform. Ilya shares the origins of VanHack, which began as an English school and career coaching service before evolving into a full-fledged recruitment company helping software engineers secure inter…

1
Ignite VC: Itamar Novick on Life360, Solo GPs, and the Future of Venture Capital | #138 1:12:16

3M ago1:12:16

1:12:16

In this episode of the Ignite Podcast, host Brian Bell interviews Itamar Novick, founder and general partner at Recursive Ventures. Itamar shares his journey from a 25-year career in startups—spanning roles as an entrepreneur, executive, and investor—to becoming a solo GP. With a portfolio of over 100 investments, including unicorns like Life360 an…

1
#23 From lawyer to actress: Pam Sherman on Finding Your Through Line and Blending Careers 49:52

3M ago49:52

49:52

In this episode, I chat with Pam Sherman about the magic that happens when you lean into all the different parts of who you are. Pam shares her story of moving from lawyer to actress, writer, and leadership coach—showing us how embracing multiple passions can lead to a fulfilling life. We talk about facing fears, navigating doubts, and why having a…

1
Ignite LP: Building Bridges Between LPs & Emerging Managers with Benedikt Langer | #137 51:37

3M ago51:37

51:37

In this episode of Ignite Podcast, Brian Bell sits down with Benedikt Langer, General Manager of ToV Lending and founder of Embracing Emergence, to explore the evolving landscape of LP-GP relationships in venture capital. Benedikt shares his unconventional journey from growing up in Germany to entering the VC world through a family office, highligh…

1
Ignite VC: Building the Next Generation of Venture Capitalists with Mike Suprovici | #136 1:04:37

4M ago1:04:37

1:04:37

In this episode of Ignite Podcast, host Brian Bell sits down with Mike Suprovici, co-founder and head of acceleration at Decile Group, to discuss his journey in venture capital and his impact on the emerging manager ecosystem. Mike shares his early experiences at the Founder Institute, where he helped launch thousands of startups, and how that led …

1
Ignite Startups: Justin Kosmides on How Bloom is Transforming Manufacturing & Supply Chains | #135 52:00

4M ago52:00

52:00

In this episode of the Ignite Podcast, host Brian Bell welcomes Justin Kosmides, CEO and co-founder of Bloom, a groundbreaking Operations as a Service platform transforming manufacturing for electric mobility and hardware companies. Justin shares his journey from finance to manufacturing, detailing how his experiences with e-bikes, urban beekeeping…

1
#22 The Secret to Accomplishing Your Goals 9:12

4M ago9:12

9:12

In this episode, I dive into the challenge of balancing the life you have with the future you want to create. It’s easy to feel like there’s never enough time, but the truth is—everyone’s life is full. The key isn’t finding more time; it’s prioritizing what truly matters. I share why making your personal goals the first task of your day can be a ga…

1
Ignite Startups: How Thunder Compute is Maximizing GPU Efficiency with Carl Peterson | #134 43:27

4M ago43:27

43:27

In this episode of Ignite Podcast, Brian Bell sits down with Carl Peterson, the founder and CEO of Thunder Compute, a YC-backed startup focused on revolutionizing GPU utilization for AI workloads. Carl shares the origins of Thunder Compute, which stemmed from his experience at Georgia Tech, where researchers struggled to access GPUs efficiently. Fr…

1
Ignite Economics: How AI is Changing Global Economy with Philip Trammell | #133 1:05:27

4M ago1:05:27

1:05:27

In this episode of the Ignite Podcast, host Brian Bell welcomes Philip Trammell, a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford's Digital Economy Lab, to discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on economic growth, labor markets, and income distribution. Trammell shares his journey into AI economics, which was initially sparked by an int…

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