Capitalists for Capitalism

In this episode, Liberty Ventures' CEO Alexander McCobin sits down with Kurt Luidhardt , co-author of Liberty Spenders , for a candid conversation about decision-making, faith, values, and capitalism done right. They unpack the concept of the dumb tax, the hidden cost of overly optimistic decisions, ignored risks, and misaligned priorities, and why bad decisions often cost far more than misse...

What does good capitalism actually look like in practice? In this episode, Alexander McCobin sits down with Emovid CEO, Victor Cho for a long-overdue conversation on principled capitalism, AI, and the future of leadership. They unpack how capitalism remains the most powerful engine for human flourishing, why bad actors shouldn’t be allowed to define the system, and what leaders can learn from Micr...

🎙 You Don’t Need to Be Rich to Invest Why are private markets still off-limits to most investors? What if anyone - not just the ultra-wealthy - could invest in startups, venture deals, and high-growth opportunities? And what if the next wave of capital formation didn’t require insider access or million-dollar checks? In this episode of the Liberty Ventures Podcast, Jesse Randall, founder of Sweate...

🎙 He Built a Coffee Empire With His 6-Year-Old Daughter – T Shane Johnson | Liberty Ventures Podcast What happens when your 6-year-old wants to start a coffee business? If you’re T Shane Johnson—you say yes. In this episode, we sit down with T Shane Johnson, Marine Corps veteran and founder of Big Guns Coffee, the first indoor hydroponic coffee farm in the United States. What started as a dream be...

🎙 David Gardner Invested in Amazon Early—Now He Helps Others Think Like Rule Breakers What does it take to see opportunity before the rest of the world does? In this episode, we sit down with legendary investor David Gardner, co-founder of The Motley Fool and one of the earliest believers in Amazon, Tesla, and Netflix. With a cost basis of just 16 cents on Amazon, David shares the lessons he’s lea...

🎙 FROM BROKER TO BUILDER: A NEW VISION OF WEALTH WITH BRANDON HATTON In this episode, we sit down with Brandon Hatton—wealth manager, author of Conscious Wealth, and founder of an independent family office built on values of freedom, integrity, and intentionality. Brandon shares how he broke free from the constraints of traditional brokerage firms to build a practice centered around deep, transfor...

🎙 DISRUPTING INDUSTRIES & INVESTING IN THE FUTURE WITH TIM DRAPER In this episode, we sit down with Tim Draper, legendary venture capitalist and early investor in groundbreaking companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and Bitcoin. Tim shares his insights on what it takes to be a visionary entrepreneurand the key qualities he looks for in the founders he backs. From embracing risk and innovation to chall...

In this episode of the Liberty Ventures podcast, we sit down with Dean Zarras, an application developer and former Goldman Sachs Managing Director, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, lessons learned from his past startup ventures, and his current journey with ClearFactor. Dean shares invaluable insights on what it takes to succeed as a founder, from the challenges of acquiring funding to the...

In the latest episode of the Liberty Ventures podcast, Alexander McCobin speaks with Gonzalo Schwarz, President & CEO of the Archbridge Institute, about the vital role of opportunity and meaning in human flourishing. Key insights include: · Stagnating upward mobility: Only 50% of people today out-earn their parents, compared to 90% in the 1940s. · Declining business dynamism: Startups have dro...

In this engaging panel discussion, Alexander McCobin, founder of Liberty Ventures and Principled Business, dives deep into the challenges facing business leaders who struggle with embracing capitalism. Joined by a powerhouse group of entrepreneurs, Jane Poynter (CEO of Space Perspective), Colin Greenspon (Founder of Narya), and Matt Cole (CEO of Strive), they explore: - Why many business leaders r...

3 Lessons I Learned from a Multi-Billion-Dollar Company Founder In business, it’s not just about the products or services we offer—it's about the relationships we build. Jim McCann, founder of 1-800-Flowers, shares a powerful story from his journey, one that goes beyond building a multi-billion-dollar company. It’s about connecting with people at every level. Here are the 3 key lessons I lear...

In this exciting episode of the Liberty Ventures Podcast, I sit down with Chad Thevenot, Vice President for Advancement at the University of Austin, to dive into the incredible growth and impact of this innovative institution. We kick off with a huge congratulations for raising $11 MILLION just yesterday – a testament to the momentum building behind the University of Austin. In just three years, t...

In this episode of the Liberty Ventures podcast, Alexander McCobin interviews Hideto Nishitani, an inspiring entrepreneur whose journey highlights resilience and purpose-driven business leadership. Hideto shares critical insights into building successful companies, focusing on the importance of management and employee engagement in achieving goals. Key topics include: Understanding the core values...

In this enlightening episode of the Liberty Ventures Podcast, we delve into the transformative journey of Richy Glassberg, CEO and Co-founder of SafeGuard Privacy and many other businesses. Here’s what you can expect to learn: - Finding Your Purpose: Discover the importance of identifying what drives you to give back, and how personal experiences can shape your mission in life and business. - Less...

On this episode, I sit down with Travis Monteleone from LP First Capital, a unique private equity firm that invests on a deal-by-deal basis within the lower middle market. We dive into their strategic approach to investments, emphasizing the essential role of cultural fit and leadership passion in scaling businesses successfully. Join us as we explore LP Business Systems, a framework inspired by E...

In this episode of the Liberty Ventures podcast, I have the pleasure of speaking with Juan Atuesta. We dive deep into the world of early-stage investing in Latin America, discussing the key traits that make successful founders and how data-driven insights are reshaping the investment landscape. Juan shares his journey from strategy consulting to venture capital, emphasizing the importance of recog...

In this episode of the Liberty Ventures podcast, I have the pleasure of speaking with Lobo Tiggre, a renowned expert in commodities and a voice of reason in the investment community. We delve deep into the intricacies of investing with a contrarian mindset, navigating the complexities of the current economic landscape, and the unique opportunities in the commodities sector. Lobo shares his invalua...

In a world where many entrepreneurs feel they must choose between profit and purpose, Ryan Green—the visionary leader behind IronLite Labs—challenges this notion by demonstrating that it’s possible to achieve both. Ryan has successfully championed over 70 impactful policies that reflect his commitment to aligning business practices with core values.  These initiatives, which encompass eco-friendly...

Johnathon Bush is the founder of Not Just Cookies, who began his entrepreneurial journey at just 13 years old. Discover how a love for baking turned into a thriving business that has weathered challenges, including a significant pivot during the pandemic. In this episode, Johnathon shares: • The early days of starting his business from his mom's kitchen and the word-of-mouth growth that follo...

In this episode of the Liberty Ventures podcast, Alexander McCobin sits down with David Simnick, the founder of Soapbox, to dive deep into the world of consumer packaged goods (CPG) and the importance of understanding your audience. David shares invaluable insights from his journey as an entrepreneur, highlighting the critical need for businesses to listen to their consumers and test products befo...

In this inspiring episode of the Liberty Ventures Podcast, host Alexander McCobin interviews Bob Chapman , the visionary CEO of Barry-Wehmiller . Bob has transformed the company from $20 million to over $3 billion through compassionate leadership and a strong business model. What You’ll Learn: • The Role of Leadership: Bob explains that a leader’s primary responsibility is to create a business mod...

In this episode of the Liberty Ventures podcast, I had the pleasure of talking with James Rhee, the national bestselling author of "red helicopter—a parable for our times." We dive into the themes of truth, kindness, and purpose in entrepreneurship that drive him. James shares his inspiring journey from private equity investor to unlikely CEO of Ashley Stewart, where he turned a struggli...

In this episode, we sit down with Alan Fisher, a seasoned entrepreneur and angel investor, to discuss the three critical goals that startups must achieve before scaling. Alan shares his insights on the importance of customer traction, maintaining a small team, and ensuring product-market fit. Learn how focusing on these essential milestones can set your startup up for sustainable growth and avoid...

In this episode, I sit down with Brian Robertson, the pioneer behind Holacracy—a groundbreaking organizational model that replaces traditional hierarchies with self-management and emergent order. We dive into Brian’s journey from software developer to creating Holacracy, a system now implemented by companies like Zappos, Mercedes Benz, and Siemens. Brian shares how his new venture, GlassFrog, is r...

Anar Alizamanli is on a mission to uncover Azerbaijan's first unicorn company.  An experienced attorney and investor, Anar is running an accelerator and building an angel investor community in Azerbaijan.  We discuss:  - His entrepreneurial journey, including training as an an attorney and living in China - What investors look for in start ups - Why the team is more important than the idea -...