10 Best Brad Feld Podcasts in 2026

1. The Anti-Transactional Venture Capitalist: How You Get More By Giving First..

Follow Play Aug 21, 2025 24:53
Website Apple Spotify
About Episode What if the smartest investment strategy is generosity? Brad Feld, co-founder of Techstars and partner at Foundry Group, joins Bruce Temkin to unpack his “Give First” philosophy: why trust beats transactions, how to build founder relationships that last decades, and why self-awareness might be the most underrated leadership skill in venture capital.MORE Podcast Title Humanity At Scale: Redefining Leadership
Podcast Description Welcome to Humanity at Scale: Redefining Leadership Podcast! Join Bruce Temkin, a trailblazer in human experience management, as he reimagines leadership for today’s dynamic world—proving that true success begins with prioritizing people, including employees, customers, and the communities you serve. In each episode, Bruce dives into the practices, mindsets, and stories that help leaders drive exceptional success—while creating a more humane and impactful world. How can neuroscience and behavioral economics shape better decisions? How are successful leaders balancing organizational goals with positive human impact? And how can we lead in ways that truly inspire humanity? From candid conversations with executives to breakthrough insights from experts, Humanity at Scale is your ultimate guide to leading with purpose and empathy. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, it will equip you with the tools and inspiration to redefine success—for yourself, your organization, and humanity.MORE Guest Brad Feld
Producer/Network Bruce Temkin
Apple Rating 5.0/5 Avg Length 40 min Format Long form Get Email Contact Get access to full database of 2.7M podcastsCreate podcast lists, export in spreadsheet or CSV file with email contacts and start your podcast outreach in minutes.Sign Up for Free with Email Continue with Google

2. From Techstars to AI trends: Brad Feld of Foundry VC on building enduring..

Follow Play Aug 20, 2025 58:27
Website Apple Spotify
About Episode Brad Feld isn't just a name in venture capital; he's one of the architects behind the startup ecosystem as we know it. From launching Techstars to mentoring hundreds of founders and fund managers, his legacy is rooted in building, not boasting. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 00:48 Introduction to Driving Alpha 01:38 Brad Feld's Journey and Achievements 03:38 Reflections on Life and Career 05:51 The Future of Foundry Group 08:02 Mentorship and Its Impact 10:52 Influential Mentors in Brad's Life 15:17 The SoftBank Connection 23:29 Star Wars vs. Star Trek 27:58 Analog Analog and Investment Insights 30:31 The Evolution of Ticketing Platforms 30:51 AI in Customer Support 31:31 Personal Coding Journey 32:14 Comparing AI Models: Claude vs. OpenAI 35:09 Investment Dynamics in Tech 36:17 The Economics of Ride-Sharing 38:17 The Future of AI-Powered Tools 41:30 Challenges in Venture Capital 54:22 Reflections on Venture Capital   In this episode, Brad joins Steve Brotman of Alpha Partners for a wide-ranging conversation on investing through downturns, the rise of AI-powered tooling, and what it truly means to give first. Brad explains how his thinking evolved across three decades, from early wins to long-tail fund management, and how he's now channeling his energy into mentorship, writing, and second-order impact. He opens up about his "third third" philosophy of life, lessons from working with SoftBank in the dot-com era, and why today's founders can't afford to chase hype. Brad also shares his hands-on experience using tools like Cursor and Claude, drawing unexpected parallels between AI and the early internet. This is more than a look back; it's a roadmap for what's ahead. Want more of Brad's wisdom? Grab his latest book:  Give First: The Power of Mentorship,  a must-read for founders, fund managers, and anyone shaping the future of innovation. MORE Podcast Title Driving Alpha
Podcast Description This is the Driving Alpha, where we feature our friends, the out-performing investors, who demonstrate their path to driving alpha, or out-sized investment returns. We're Alpha Partners, where we partner with a thousand early-stage venture firms as their opportunity capital to invest in their best companies.MORE Guest Brad Feld
Producer/Network Alpha Partners
Apple Rating 3.7/5 Avg Length 39 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

3. How Do We Talk About Mental Health?

Follow Play Jul 30, 2025 57:25
Website Apple Spotify
About Episode A Conversation with Brad Feld – Author, Venture Capitalist, and Mental Health Advocate Elizabeth and Sheila invite Brad Feld to join them in a candid conversation about destigmatizing mental health. Brad Feld – entrepreneur, author, venture capitalist, and a co-founder of Foundry Group and Techstars, has been very public about his struggles with OCD and depression and is a longtime mental health advocate. In this episode, Elizabeth and Sheila get his take on if, when, and how to reveal one’s mental health story. In the spirit of Brad’s new book, Give First: The Power of Mentorship, Elizabeth shares some of the lessons she’s learned from her decade-long relationship with Brad as a mentor and investor. She asks him to open up about a cause that Sheila, Elizabeth, and Brad care deeply about – mental health.  In this episode, we explore: (01:16)    Introducing Brad Feld – entrepreneur, author, venture capitalist, and a co-founder of Foundry Group and Techstars (07:58)    Brad Feld discusses his personal experiences with OCD (10:25)    The insidiousness of the link between obsessive and compulsive thoughts and behavior (16:21)    When, if, and how to reveal your mental health story (20:04)    Digging into the root causes vs. just moving dirt around (25:25)    Dealing with the shame associated with depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges (29:30)    The importance of self-awareness and therapy: Spend some time on “Planet Yourself” (33:07)    Elizabeth’s experiences with a close friend and mental health issues (36:30)    Brad’s philanthropic efforts in Boulder, CO (40:20)    Destigmatizing mental health issues (45:30)    What is the line between supporting and enabling? (50:57)    Supporting others by just being present for them (53:08)    Brad’s new book is Give First: The Power of Mentorship. If you like the book, make some music about it! (55:14)    Closing thoughts MORE Podcast Title Imperfectly Honest
Podcast Description Welcome to the real us. We’re shifting from the people we’ve felt obligated to be to the people we’re born to be. We welcome eavesdroppers to our conversations.
Guest Brad Feld
Producer/Network Imperfectly Honest
Apple Rating 5.0/5 Avg Length 33 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

4. Give First and the Ripple Effect of Generosity with Brad Feld

Follow Play Jul 29, 2025 46:44
Website Apple Spotify
About Episode What if generosity—not hustle—is your greatest competitive advantage? Brad Feld—co-founder of Foundry Group, Mobius Venture Capital, and startup accelerator Techstars—joins Barry to explore the transformative philosophy of “Give First,” a mindset that’s reshaped how founders, investors, and mentors build lasting companies and vibrant startup ecosystems. Brad has spent over three decades cultivating startup communities by putting people before profit and helping others without expecting anything in return. In this episode, he shares the mindset shifts that fueled Techstars’ global influence, how mentorship evolves from hierarchy to peer learning, and why sustainable success stems from playing the long game. A conversation full of clarity, candor, and challenge—for anyone rethinking what it means to lead, contribute, and create. Key Takeaways Generosity Fuels Growth: Giving without expectation of return builds stronger relationships, ecosystems, and companies. Mentorship is a Two-Way Street: The most impactful mentoring happens when both sides learn, grow, and give. Play the Long Game: Positive-sum, multi-turn thinking creates more meaningful and lasting impact than transactional wins. Know Yourself First: Deep self-awareness—not external success metrics—is the foundation of better leadership. Additional Insights Redefine Success on Your Own Terms: Society pushes for more—money, power, status—but real fulfillment comes from understanding what truly matters to you. Build a Network of Givers: Shared values transcend geography. A global community built on generosity leads to collective resilience. Let Go of the Need for Control: Great mentors—and leaders—create space for co-creation, not dictation. Disconnect to Reconnect: Time away from constant input helps surface your clearest thinking and truest desires. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Episode Recap Brad Feld reframes mentorship as a shift from a one-way hierarchy to a peer-based relationship. 01:48 – Barry Introduces Brad Feld Barry introduces Brad's influential work on startup communities and his philosophy of "Give First." 03:12 – Startup Community Origins Brad shares how the idea of startup communities became a global movement—challenging the belief that tech startups must be in Silicon Valley. 12:54 – The Give First Philosophy Brad explains why generosity, long-term thinking, and non-transactional relationships are foundational to resilient startup ecosystems. 21:33 – Mentorship as Mutual Growth A powerful story with mentor Len Fast reveals how Brad came to see mentorship as co-learning rather than knowledge transfer. 27:27 – Knowing Yourself Brad emphasizes how self-awareness and personal growth are essential to leadership, especially in a world driven by reactive norms. 34:48 – Creating Space for What Matters A candid discussion on disconnecting from external pressures, valuing inner reflection, and how time off helped Brad refocus on his values. 41:47 – Redesigning Relationships Brad shares how he and his wife created structure and rules to prioritize their relationship—offering insight into the intersection of discipline and intimacy. 45:41 – Final Reflections Brad closes with a message on leading through generosity, not transactions—and why playing the long game builds stronger companies and communities. Episode Resources Brad Feld on LinkedIn: Brad... MORE Podcast Title Unlearn
Podcast Description The way to think differently is to act differently and get comfortable with being uncomfortable. For business leaders, entrepreneurs, managers and anyone who wants to improve how they work and live: Welcome to the Unlearn Podcast. Host Barry O’Reilly, author of Unlearn and Lean Enterprise seeks to synthesize the superpowers of extraordinary individuals into actionable strategies you can use—to Think BIG, start small and learn fast, and find your edge with excellence.MORE Host Barry OReilly
Guest Brad Feld
Producer/Network Barry O'Reilly
Email ****@barryoreilly.com
Apple Rating 5.0/5Facebook 347Twitter 7.3K Avg Length 44 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

5. Give First and the Ripple Effect of Generosity with Brad Feld

Follow Play Jul 29, 2025 46:44
Website Apple
About Episode What if generosity—not hustle—is your greatest competitive advantage? Brad Feld—co-founder of Foundry Group, Mobius Venture Capital, and startup accelerator Techstars—joins Barry to explore the transformative philosophy of “Give First,” a mindset that’s reshaped how founders, investors, and mentors build lasting companies and vibrant startup ecosystems. Brad has spent over three decades cultivating startup communities by putting people before profit and helping others without expecting anything in return. In this episode, he shares the mindset shifts that fueled Techstars’ global influence, how mentorship evolves from hierarchy to peer learning, and why sustainable success stems from playing the long game. A conversation full of clarity, candor, and challenge—for anyone rethinking what it means to lead, contribute, and create. Key Takeaways Generosity Fuels Growth: Giving without expectation of return builds stronger relationships, ecosystems, and companies. Mentorship is a Two-Way Street: The most impactful mentoring happens when both sides learn, grow, and give. Play the Long Game: Positive-sum, multi-turn thinking creates more meaningful and lasting impact than transactional wins. Know Yourself First: Deep self-awareness—not external success metrics—is the foundation of better leadership. Additional Insights Redefine Success on Your Own Terms: Society pushes for more—money, power, status—but real fulfillment comes from understanding what truly matters to you. Build a Network of Givers: Shared values transcend geography. A global community built on generosity leads to collective resilience. Let Go of the Need for Control: Great mentors—and leaders—create space for co-creation, not dictation. Disconnect to Reconnect: Time away from constant input helps surface your clearest thinking and truest desires. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Episode Recap Brad Feld reframes mentorship as a shift from a one-way hierarchy to a peer-based relationship. 01:48 – Barry Introduces Brad Feld Barry introduces Brad's influential work on startup communities and his philosophy of "Give First." 03:12 – Startup Community Origins Brad shares how the idea of startup communities became a global movement—challenging the belief that tech startups must be in Silicon Valley. 12:54 – The Give First Philosophy Brad explains why generosity, long-term thinking, and non-transactional relationships are foundational to resilient startup ecosystems. 21:33 – Mentorship as Mutual Growth A powerful story with mentor Len Fast reveals how Brad came to see mentorship as co-learning rather than knowledge transfer. 27:27 – Knowing Yourself Brad emphasizes how self-awareness and personal growth are essential to leadership, especially in a world driven by reactive norms. 34:48 – Creating Space for What Matters A candid discussion on disconnecting from external pressures, valuing inner reflection, and how time off helped Brad refocus on his values. 41:47 – Redesigning Relationships Brad shares how he and his wife created structure and rules to prioritize their relationship—offering insight into the intersection of discipline and intimacy. 45:41 – Final Reflections Brad closes with a message on leading through generosity, not transactions—and why playing the long game builds stronger companies and communities. Episode Resources Brad Feld on LinkedIn: Brad... MORE Podcast Title Unlearn
Podcast Description The way to think differently is to act differently and get comfortable with being uncomfortable. For business leaders, entrepreneurs, managers and anyone who wants to improve how they work and live: Welcome to the Unlearn Podcast. Host Barry O’Reilly, author of Unlearn and Lean Enterprise seeks to synthesize the superpowers of extraordinary individuals into actionable strategies you can use—to Think BIG, start small and learn fast, and find your edge with excellence.MORE Guest Brad Feld
Avg Length 44 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

6. What Makes Startup Communities Thrive? Lessons from Techstars, Foundry..

Follow Play Jul 25, 2025 35:15
Website Apple Spotify
About Episode Episode Breakdown: Introduction to startup communities: Why they matter and how they support founders and innovation The “Give First” mentality: David Cohen on the secret weapon of successful communities The Boulder Thesis and evolution of startup community principles: Brad Feld on defining and evolving community leadership Instigators and ecosystem players: The role of non-founders and organizations in driving community success Government and policy: Ian Hathaway on how policy can help or hinder startup ecosystems Techstars’ approach to community partnerships: David Cohen on global mentorship and learning networks Denver Startup Week’s growth and inclusivity: Erik Mitisek on welcoming all voices and scaling impact Love of place and community care: Ian Hathaway and panelists on the importance of local pride and collaboration Overcoming gatekeepers: Brad Feld on the power of action and open access in building vibrant ecosystems Call to action: Everyone has a role in building their startup community Featured Guests: Lesa Mitchell, General Manager, Alloy Partners (LinkedIn, X) David Cohen, Co-founder & CEO, Techstars (LinkedIn, X) Brad Feld, Partner, Foundry Group & Co-founder, Techstars (LinkedIn) Ian Hathaway, Partner, Far Out (FOVC) & Co-author, The Startup Community Way (LinkedIn) Erik Mitisek, Founder, Denver Startup Week (LinkedIn) Referenced in the Show: Startup Communities by Brad Feld The Startup Community Way by Brad Feld & Ian Hathaway Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2025, Indianapolis Techstars Startup Community Partnerships Resources & Related Links: Alloy Partners Techstars Foundry Group Far Out Ventures Denver/Colorado Startup Week Global Entrepreneurship Congress   Advantaged: An Alloy Partners Podcast MORE Podcast Title Advantaged: An Alloy Partners Podcast
Podcast Description On Advantaged, we interview corporate innovators, founders, and investors all around venture building and startupcorporate partnerships. We are telling the stories of how corporates and startups win together. We explore the concept of "advantaged": how startups can be disproportionately advantaged when they are co-created with corporations — and how corporations can solve some of the world’s hardest problems through startup creation in the venture studio model.MORE Host Drew Beechler
Guest Brad Feld
Producer/Network Alloy Partners
Email ****@gmail.com
Apple Rating 5.0/5 Avg Length 29 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

7. Why “Give First” Is More Than Just Startup Advice | Boulder Bubble..

Follow Play Jul 22, 2025 58:42
Website Apple
About Episode Brad Feld is a longtime venture capitalist, co-founder of Foundry Group, and an early investor in companies like Fitbit and SendGrid. He’s known for his candid, generous approach to supporting entrepreneurs, his deep reflections on mental health in startups, and his philosophy of ‘give first’ within the startup ecosystem.Brad's New Book: https://www.amazon.com/Give-First-Mentorship-Brad-Feld/dp/1646871324The Boulder Bubble Newsletter & More: https://boulderbubble.com MORE Podcast Title Boulder Bubble Podcast
Podcast Description Rooted in the vibrant spirit of Boulder, Colorado—often celebrated as one of the happiest cities in the United States—the Boulder Bubble is more than a local homage; it’s a global push for optimism. What began as a celebration of Boulder’s unique blend of sustainability, creativity, and community has evolved into a values-driven movement grounded in hope, prosperity, and good for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, ideology, or gender.MORE Guest Brad Feld
Avg Length 39 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

8. Encore: Brad Feld on What Nietzsche Can Teach Entrepreneurs

Follow Play May 17, 2024 50:09
Website Apple Spotify
About Episode Brad Feld (@bfeld), VC at Foundry Group and co-author with Dave Jilk of The Entrepreneur’s Weekly Nietzsche, joined Village Global co-founder and partner Ben Casnocha to discuss: - Common misconceptions about Nietzsche and why being misunderstood makes him an especially interesting philosopher.   - What Nietzsche can teach entrepreneurs deciding whether to pivot or persevere. Brad says that founders should view their entrepreneurial journey not in terms of a single company, but as the next 30-50 years of their life. - Why Brad hates the term “passion” and says it’s overused in entrepreneurial circles. - Why to focus more on whether someone’s words and actions line up rather than the strength of their beliefs. - The lessons that Brad has for making decisions among groups today given Nietzsche’s aphorism that “insanity in individuals is rare, but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule.” Thanks for listening — if you like what you hear, please review us on your favorite podcast platform.  Check us out on the web at www.villageglobal.vc or get in touch with us on Twitter @villageglobal. Want to get updates from us? Subscribe to get a peek inside the Village. We’ll send you reading recommendations, exclusive event invites, and commentary on the latest happenings in Silicon Valley. www.villageglobal.vc/signupMORE Podcast Title Village Global Podcast
Podcast Description The Village Global podcast takes you inside the world of venture capital and technology, featuring enlightening interviews with entrepreneurs, investors and tech industry leaders. Learn more at www.villageglobal.vc.MORE Host Erik Torenberg
Guest Brad Feld
Producer/Network Village Global
Email ****@villageglobal.vc
Apple Rating 4.4/5Twitter 17KInstagram 1.5K Avg Length 52 min Format Long form Get Email Contact