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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Listen & 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.

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In this special episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen is joined once again by co-host Brad Feld, back after nearly two years away from the spotlight. Brad shares why he stepped back, what brought him back, and the deeper thinking behind his new book, Give First: The Power of Mentorship.

They dive into the origins of the Give First philosophy, how it grew from a simple idea into a powerful movement influencing startup communities worldwide, and why giving without expecting immediate returns continues to shape entrepreneurship today.

Order your copy of Give First: The Power of Mentorship here.

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In this episode of the Give First podcast, host David Cohen is joined by Usman Gul, founder and CEO of Metal. Usman shares his entrepreneurial journey and how his company is revolutionizing the fundraising process for startups.

Usman discusses his own experience raising capital, the challenges he encountered, and how Metal is simplifying and democratizing access to venture capital. With advanced investor intelligence and AI-driven tools, Metal is transforming the way founders identify and connect with the right investors. Tune in to hear how technology and entrepreneurship come together to make fundraising more efficient and accessible for all.

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In this episode of the Give First podcast, hosts David Cohen is joined by Kevin Noertker, CEO and co-founder of Ampaire. Kevin shares his journey from aspiring astronaut and NASA engineer to leading a revolutionary Techstars-backed company.

Ampaire is advancing hybrid electric aviation, aiming to cut aircraft fuel usage by 50-70%, addressing both environmental and economic issues in the aviation sector.

Kevin discusses the concept of 'invariant milestones' for setting and achieving ambitious goals, the challenges of blending the automotive and aviation industries, and the importance of resilient, mission-driven leadership.

The episode also covers Ampaire's fundraising journey, strategic decisions, and Kevin's commitment to the entrepreneurial community.

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