The Bear Roars

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.

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. Head to dan-caruso.com/book for more details.  In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Kevin O’Hara, Co-founder and CEO of Congruex, a leading telecommunications company dedicated to advancing digital connectivity. Kevin shares his fascinating career journey, starting with his time in Alaska working for Kiewit, a pivotal role that set the stage for his future in the telecommunications industry. The conversation takes a personal turn as Kevin recalls his transition to MFS, where he hired Dan—a significant move that showcased his willingness to take a chance on unconventional talent. Together, Dan and Kevin reflect on their shared history, including memories of influential colleagues like the late Royce Holland and Jim Crowe, who played key roles in shaping the telecommunications landscape. The duo dives into the driving motivations that led them to spearhead Level 3, a revolutionary company that redefined the digital infrastructure space. They also explore the future of digital infrastructure, highlighting the transformative potential of emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing. To learn more about Congruex: https://www.congruex.com/ To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email us at contact@loudbearproductions.com.

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. Head to dan-caruso.com/book for more details. In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso is joined by Neil Hobbs, Neil Hobbs, Partner at L5 Capital Partners and former Chairman of EuNetworks, and Brady Rafuse, former CEO and Chairman of EuNetworks—two industry titans with careers that span continents and decades of innovation. Neil and Brady share their incredible journeys from shaping the telecom industry in the UK at British Telecom to making waves in the U.S. at Level 3. Together, they reflect on pivotal moments like the failed BT-MCI merger, the highs and lows of the telecom boom and bust, and the transitions that led them to new leadership roles shaping the future of connectivity. The conversation dives into how they navigated major industry shifts, built resilient global digital infrastructure, and embraced cross-continental challenges. Whether you’re curious about the history of telecom, their leadership philosophies, or the future of connectivity in Europe and beyond, this episode is a must-listen. Highlights: - The untold story of the BT-MCI merger and its ripple effects. - Lessons in resilience from the telecom boom and bust. - Neil and Brady’s evolution from Level 3 to new leadership opportunities. - The evolving role of digital infrastructure in Europe and the U.S. Links: - Learn more about Eu Networks: https://eunetworks.com/about/ Explore L5 Capital Partners: https://www.lfivecapital.com/ To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email us at contact@loudbearproductions.com.

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan reconnects with Gillis Cashman, Managing Partner at M/C Partners and a longtime collaborator on industry-defining ventures like ICG and Zayo. Gillis reflects on their shared journey of transforming distressed telecom assets into thriving businesses, offering an insider’s perspective on the high-stakes world of private equity and telecom innovation. Dan and Gillis dive into pivotal moments in their careers, including bold moves like acquiring billions in assets for a fraction of their value and scaling Zayo to become a market leader. They also explore the future of digital infrastructure, from the immediate impact of AI on fiber networks to the long-term promise of quantum technology. Whether you’re interested in the evolution of telecom, the power of strategic investments, or the technologies shaping our digital future, this episode is packed with insights and stories you won’t want to miss. Order your copy of Bandwidth today: dan-caruso.com/book Learn more about MC Partners: https://www.mcpartners.com/ To nominate a guest or yourself as a speaker for The Bear Roars, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with telecom legend John Warta to explore his extraordinary career and the transformative role he played in shaping the fiber optic networks that revolutionized the industry. From his early days as a Vietnam veteran to working with Ross Perot at EDS, John’s journey into telecommunications was anything but conventional. John shares fascinating stories about the early days of fiber network construction, battling monopolies, and negotiating groundbreaking deals with industry giants like AT&T and MCI. He reflects on his time as a founder of Electric Lightwave, sharing the pivotal moments that defined the companies he was at and the lessons he learned along the way. As they dive into the dot-com boom and bust, Dan and John discuss the resilience required to navigate the volatile telecom landscape and the visionary thinking that drove innovation during one of the most exciting times in the industry’s history. Packed with insights and hard-earned wisdom, this episode offers a front-row seat to the evolution of telecommunications and the legacy of a true pioneer. Listen now and join us for an unforgettable conversation. Bandwidth is available for pre-order now for a February 4, 2025 release date - pre order your copy today! https://a.co/d/3BMxBRC To nominate a guest or submit feedback, email us at contact@loudbearproductions.com.