The Bear Roars

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Frank Louthan, Managing Director at Raymond James and longtime telecom analyst, to unpack the wild rise and fall of the telecom and fiber industry during the dot-com boom and bust. Frank covered many of the era’s biggest players—WorldCom, Level 3, Global Crossing—and brings a rare, unfiltered perspective on what really happened behind the scenes.Frank’s journey began as a young analyst navigating an industry in hypergrowth, only to watch it unravel through regulatory arbitrage, inflated IRU swaps, and unsustainable business models. He shares stories from the front lines—legendary earnings calls, telecom execs caught in denial, and how Wall Street slowly woke up to the scale of fraud inside companies like WorldCom and Quest.Dan and Frank dig into the crash and what came after—how companies like AboveNet and CenturyTel rebuilt with discipline and long-term vision, and how those lessons still apply today as bandwidth demand surges with the rise of AI, edge computing, and hyperscale data infrastructure.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

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Jeff Williams, CEO and CTO of Exum Instruments, to explore how his company is transforming materials analysis with its groundbreaking Massbox™ technology. Exum’s innovation allows for rapid, precise elemental analysis, making advanced scientific tools more accessible across industries like aerospace, battery technology, and national security.Jeff’s journey into tech wasn’t a straight line. A passionate rock climber from Florida, he discovered a love for geochemistry that led him to study meteorites and early solar system formations. His experience in cosmochemistry and analytical instrumentation inspired him to rethink how materials are analyzed—ultimately leading to the creation of Exum Instruments.Jeff and Dan discuss the challenges of launching a hard tech startup, the growing deep tech ecosystem in Colorado, and how AI and automation are shaping the future of scientific discovery. 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/bookLearn more about Exum Instruments: https://www.exuminstruments.com/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 Greg Keller, CTO and co-founder of JumpCloud, a cloud-based platform that helps businesses securely manage user identities, devices, and access across IT environments.Greg’s journey to tech wasn’t conventional. He majored in foreign affairs, planning for a career in the CIA, but after graduating into a tough economy, he pivoted into software. His career took him from Japan to Brazil to Silicon Valley, where he worked in data architecture and security before eventually settling in Boulder. A chance meeting with Brad Feld introduced him to Techstars, Endeavor, and the startup ecosystem, shaping his path as an entrepreneur.Greg shares how an early startup failure became a turning point, what led to the creation of JumpCloud, and why mentorship and resilience are critical to building and scaling companies.This conversation dives into:The transition from foreign affairs to tech entrepreneurshipLessons from early startup failures and how they fuel successThe founding of JumpCloud and the need for modern identity securityWhy a strong mentorship ecosystem is essential for entrepreneursOrder Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookClick here to learn more about Endeavor: https://endeavor.org/or here for JumpCloud: https://jumpcloud.com/To nominate a founder or to nominate yourself as a future guest speaker on our podcast, please send an email to contact@loudbearproductions.com.

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Linda Rottenberg, co-founder and CEO of Endeavor, the global organization that has helped scale thousands of high-impact startups across 45 countries. For over 27 years, Linda has been at the forefront of entrepreneurship—championing founders in emerging markets and proving that bold ideas can come from anywhere.Linda shares how Endeavor started as a wild idea (earning her the nickname “Chica Loca”), how it has helped build 80+ unicorns outside traditional startup hubs, and why investing in scale-ups is key to economic transformation. She dives into the multiplier effect of successful founders, the surprising data behind what makes a great entrepreneur, and how Endeavor is expanding its impact as it works toward Vision 2035.She and Dan also discuss:How Endeavor helped launch Latin America’s first unicorns, Mercado Libre Why network value is the biggest predictor of startup successThe rise of Nigeria, Poland, and Lebanon as tech hubsHow Endeavor Catalyst has become one of the largest global venture fundsWhy scaling a company is about more than just making money - it’s about building ecosystemsLinda’s insights are invaluable for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone passionate about global innovation.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/bookClick here to learn more about Endeavor: https://endeavor.org/To nominate a founder or to nominate yourself as a future guest speaker on our podcast, please send an email to contact@loudbearproductions.com.

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Ryan Heckman, a former Olympic athlete turned private equity leader and entrepreneur. Ryan shares his incredible journey from growing up in Granby, Colorado, to competing in the Olympics at just 16 years old, and how his relentless drive to win—rather than just train—shaped his mindset in both sports and business.Ryan and Dan discuss the importance of being a maverick, making progress over comfort, and the reality that true leadership sometimes means accepting that not everyone will like you. They dive into the key traits of a great leader, the art of structuring your day for success, and the value of wisdom as a form of wealth. The conversation explores pivotal moments like when a librarian helped him get into CU and how a flight led him into the world of business.If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or just someone looking for inspiration, this episode is full of wisdom, unconventional success stories, and practical insights on building a life and career on your own terms.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/bookClick here to learn more about Rallyday Partners: https://rallydaypartners.com/To nominate a founder or to nominate yourself as a future guest speaker on our podcast, please send an email to contact@loudbearproductions.com.

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with David Cohen, co-founder and CEO of Techstars, the startup accelerator that began in Boulder with a $250,000 investment and grew into a multi-billion-dollar investment firm backing thousands of startups worldwide.David shares his journey from serial entrepreneur to launching Techstars, reflecting on the lessons learned from building (and failing at) startups, how his partnership with David Brown, Brad Feld, and Jared Polis shaped the accelerator model, and why “Give First” became Techstars’ guiding philosophy. He also discusses what makes a great entrepreneur, from attracting top talent to maintaining relentless motivation, and explains how Techstars evolved from a small Boulder experiment into a global network of startup ecosystems. Drawing from years of data, David breaks down the importance of network value and what it reveals about startup success. Finally, he shares his vision for Techstars as he steps back in as CEO, and what it takes to build thriving tech hubs and startup communities.If you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or just fascinated by the startup world, this episode is full 📖 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/book Click here to learn more about Tech Stars:https://www.techstars.com/To nominate a founder or to nominate yourself as a future guest speaker on our podcast, please send an email to contact@loudbearproductions.com.

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Hunter Newby, a visionary in the telecommunications and data center industries, to discuss the evolution of network infrastructure and the forces shaping its future. From his early experiences with Telex to his work with ColoATL and Neutrality, Hunter has been at the forefront of connectivity, helping to build the foundation of modern digital interconnection.Dan and Hunter explore the transformative impact of AI, the growing challenges of securing power for data centers, and the critical role of government and military influence in infrastructure development. They also dive into the importance of internet exchange points, the evolution of data center design, and how emerging markets like Wichita present unique opportunities for the future of connectivity.With decades of experience navigating the complexities of interconnection, Hunter shares valuable insights on partnerships, innovation, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email us at contact@loudbearproductions.com.Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom:https://a.co/d/6k056t3

In this episode ofThe Bear Roars, Dan sits down withChuck Morris, a legendary music promoter, manager, Chairman Emeritus and former President/CEO of AEG Presents Rocky Mountains, and the driving force behind some of the most iconic moments in live music.From booking local bands at The Sink in Boulder to managing the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band for 25 years, Chuck has worked with legends like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Elton John, U2, and Bruce Springsteen.Chuck shares incredible stories from his decades in the industry, including: Introducing U2 to Red Rocks and how it became one of their most famous performancesConvincing Bruce Springsteen to play outdoors at Red Rocks—one of his greatest showsFlying to Moscow with Phil Anschutz and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to bring American music to RussiaThe rise and fall of Caribou Ranch, the legendary recording studio where icons like Elton John and Joe Walsh recordedRunning AEG Presents Rocky Mountains and shaping the live music scene for decadesHis latest chapter — leading Colorado State University’s Music Business Program to mentor the next generation of industry leadersFrom Brooklyn to Boulder, Chuck’s journey is filled with behind-the-scenes stories, historic concerts, and a lifelong passion for discovering artists with undeniable magic.Want to be a guest on The Bear Roars?To nominate a founder or to nominate yourself as a future guest, email us at contact@loudbearproductions.com.Order Dan’s Book– Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: https://a.co/d/6k056t3

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Gregg Spiridellis, a digital media pioneer who went from Wall Street to reshaping online entertainment. Gregg co-founded JibJab, the viral content studio behind This Land and Elf Yourself, which dominated the early internet era with political satire and personalized videos. After two decades of innovation in digital storytelling, he and his brother launched StoryBots, a modern-day Sesame Street that became a Netflix hit and featured celebrity guests like Snoop Dogg, Jay Leno, and Scarlett Johansson. Now, Gregg is turning his focus to AI and mental wellness as Founder & CEO of Moments, an AI-driven journaling platform designed to make therapy more effective. Dan and Gregg cover: - His leap from Goldman Sachs to launching JibJab in 1999 - Creating viral internet sensations before YouTube even existed - How This Land catapulted them onto The Tonight Show and Sundance - Bootstrapping through the dot-com bust and reinventing digital content - The evolution of StoryBots and the strategy behind selling to Netflix - Why AI-powered journaling is his next big bet with Moments - His move to Boulder and the energy of its entrepreneurial community Gregg’s story is a masterclass in creative entrepreneurship, adaptability, and building businesses that stand the test of time. Learn more about Moments at ⁠https://www.getmoments.app/⁠ 🔗 Want to be a guest on The Bear Roars? To nominate a founder or to nominate yourself as a future guest, email us at contact@loudbearproductions.com. 📖 Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom Reserve your copy now: dan-caruso.com/book

The Bear Roars Special edition series Bandwidth serves as a platform to celebrate the people and stories of Dan’s book, Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom. The story covers the epic journey of the creation of the Internet Backbones, the building of the early competitive fiber networks in the 1990s, the Bandwidth Boom, Bust, and Resurrection, ending in 2020 when Dan’s company, Zayo, was sold. Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom is available now! Reserve your copy now: https://dan-caruso.com/book/ In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Bill LaPerch, former CEO of AboveNet and a telecom veteran who played a key role in shaping the industry’s digital infrastructure. Bill’s career spans the rise of competitive fiber networks, the telecom boom, the WorldCom collapse, and the rebirth of the industry post-dot-com bust. Bill shares how his path started at West Point and led him to the 101st Airborne before jumping into telecom at MCI. He gives an insider’s view of WorldCom’s downfall, the internet bubble’s frenzy, and what it took to navigate AboveNet through bankruptcy and back to success. Dan and Bill discuss the evolution of fiber networks, why dark fiber became essential for major enterprises, and how the lessons from the past still apply in today’s AI-driven digital infrastructure world. If you’ve been part of the telecom world, are curious about its history, or want to understand the forces shaping digital infrastructure today, this episode is a must-listen. To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email us at contact@loudbearproductions.com.