The Bear Roars

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Boulder artist Will Day, whose unlikely path from architecture to painting began in the middle of the 2008 financial collapse.Will talks about losing his job, moving his family to Boulder, and slowly building an art practice from a basement with no roadmap and no guarantee it would work. He shares the early challenges—financial strain, uncertainty at home, and the pressure of trying to build a creative career while raising two young kids.Dan and Will discuss how Boulder shaped his development as an artist, why Black Lab Studios became the right environment for his work, and what it means to create during times of disruption. Will breaks down his process of painting on raw canvas, working across multiple pieces at once, and allowing intuition rather than rigid planning to guide each piece.The conversation also touches on Boulder’s evolving arts scene, the impact of events like the Sundance Film Festival and Boulder Roots Music Fest, and the role of community in helping local artists gain visibility.Learn more about Will’s work: https://www.willdayart.comOrder 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 David Prichard — CEO of Denver Ventures — for a conversation about conviction, community, and the evolution of Colorado’s venture capital ecosystem.David shares how his unconventional path—from skipping college to leading sales teams before 25—set the stage for his work building one of Colorado’s most active investment platforms. He and Dan dig into how Denver Ventures grew out of the local Denver Angels network, why the best investors look beyond markets to the people behind them, and how “Founder DNA” traits like self-awareness, adaptability, and resilience determine who survives the toughest cycles.The two explore why 2025 could mark a defining vintage year for venture capital, how Colorado is emerging as a national leader in hard tech, quantum, and AI, and what happens when founders and investors truly align around long-term conviction. David also opens up about his early life, the lessons learned from failure, and his belief that great companies start with great people—not perfect plans.Learn more about Denver Ventures: https://denverventures.co/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

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Dr. Bill Blanchet — a Boulder-based physician whose open-minded approach to medicine led him on an unlikely journey from Colorado to Cuba.Dr. Blanchet shares how a patient’s battle with stage-four cancer sparked his exploration into Cuba’s surprising leadership in biopharmaceutical innovation — from advanced cancer immunotherapies to a groundbreaking nasal treatment showing remarkable results against dementia.He and Dan discuss how decades of investment in Cuban medical research have produced world-class breakthroughs despite political isolation, and why these discoveries could reshape the global approach to diseases once thought untreatable. They also examine the obstacles created by U.S. embargo policies, the promise of new clinical trials now involving American patients, and the potential for collaboration between Cuban and U.S. researchers.Learn more about La Pradera International Health Center: https://www.cubameds.com/lappraderaOrder 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 Mike Wussow and Alina Nisenzon — the husband-and-wife team behind Poppins Payroll, a household payroll platform born from their own parenting frustrations.Mike and Alina share how a simple need to legally pay their nanny exposed a broken system — one that forced families into small-business-level compliance just to hire care help. What began as a side project quickly evolved into a nationwide solution, built from their living room while both maintained demanding careers. They walk through the realities of creating a tech-enabled service business from scratch, the 60-hour tax maze that inspired their mission, and how their legal backgrounds unexpectedly became their superpower.As COVID upended work and family life, Poppins found itself at the center of a new wave of household employment — tripling its user base as families sought reliable, compliant payroll tools. Mike and Alina reflect on scaling through that surge, maintaining white-glove customer service in a high-trust category, and building a culture that prized integrity as much as innovation.This conversation was recorded a year ago, just before that pivotal investment — and we’re thrilled to finally share the full story of how persistence, partnership, and purpose turned a household headache into a national success story.Learn more about Poppins Payroll: poppinspayroll.comOrder Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookTo nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Brad Feld—venture capitalist, author, and longtime Colorado ecosystem builder—for a candid conversation about innovation, acceleration, and the future that’s already here.They dive into the implications for leaders, educators, and policymakers, exploring why access and experiential learning will determine who thrives in the years ahead. Dan introduces his idea of the “super professional,” and Brad expands on how critical thinking and curiosity—not fear—will separate those who lead from those who get left behind.The conversation moves from macro to deeply personal as Brad shares how he’s applying these ideas in his own life and work. He reflects on the Give First philosophy that shaped Techstars and Foundry Group, the power of mentorship, and why giving without expectation remains his guiding principle in an age defined by exponential change.Learn more about Foundry: https://foundry.vc/Buy Brad's Book "Give First: The Power of Mentorship": https://a.co/d/jhC1JBKOrder Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookTo nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this engaging discussion, Pat Lynch, Executive Managing Director at CBRE Data Center Solutions, shares insights from his extensive career in digital infrastructure. He dives into the transformative effects of AI and quantum computing on data centers, and recounts the exhilarating rise and fall of the bandwidth boom. Pat reflects on the importance of discipline amidst power constraints and highlights the evolving landscape of data center demand. With a rich tapestry of personal anecdotes, he emphasizes both the lessons learned and the promising future of the industry.

Dave Schaeffer, Founder and CEO of Cogent Communications, shares his journey through the telecom collapse of the early 2000s. He discusses how Cogent strategically acquired distressed networks like PSI Net for bargain prices, transforming crisis into opportunity. Schaeffer explains their focused approach on high-density buildings, operational tactics to cut installation costs, and the discipline of sticking to pure network architecture. His insights on leveraging the chaos of the telecom crash reveal a unique perspective on resilience and innovation in the industry.

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with Nick Forster — Founder & Host of eTown — for an intimate look at how music, community, and purpose have intertwined throughout Colorado’s creative evolution.Nick recounts hitchhiking to Colorado as a teenager in the 1970s, stumbling into Boulder’s live music scene, and helping define it through his work at the Denver Folklore Center and the formation of the bluegrass band Hot Rize. From late-night gigs at the Colorado Coal Company to international tours and a Bluegrass Hall of Fame induction, Nick’s journey traces the heart of Boulder’s musical DNA.He shares how a tour through Europe ultimately inspired the creation of eTown, a nationally syndicated show built on connection, sustainability, and civic spirit. Nick and Dan discuss how eTown Hall became a solar-powered community hub, how the arts can revitalize local economies, and why Boulder must reinvest in its creative infrastructure.They also dig into the emerging Boulder Roots Music Festival, the impact of Sundance’s arrival, and how bringing artists, entrepreneurs, and audiences together can spark a new cultural renaissance on the Front Range.Learn more about eTown: https://www.etown.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/bookTo nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

Join Bryan Dayton, an award-winning bartender and founder of Half-Eaten Cookie Hospitality, as he shares his journey from bartending at Juanita’s to launching successful concepts like Oak and Acorn. Bryan discusses his innovative cocktail philosophy, focusing on low-ABV options and the role of local initiatives in Boulder’s dining scene. He dives into the challenges of building a regenerative beef supply chain and the excitement surrounding the arrival of Sundance, which could reshape the community’s hospitality landscape.

In a captivating conversation, Horace Zona, Managing Director at DigitalBridge and veteran dealmaker, shares his insights on the dynamic world of telecom and digital infrastructure. He recounts pivotal transactions like AboveNet and Zayo, revealing the strategy behind price discovery as both art and science. Horace discusses competitive bidding, the importance of building relationships with investors, and how the current AI and robotics wave mirrors the late '90s boom. His tales from the boardroom highlight the skill of navigating complex negotiations and fostering long-term partnerships.