The Bear Roars

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan welcomes Carrie Charles, the dynamic CEO of Broadstaff, a company specializing in workforce solutions for the digital infrastructure industry. Together, they co-host a lively discussion, exploring their entrepreneurial journeys and the pivotal moments that shaped their careers. Carrie shares her inspiring story of transitioning from Marine to CEO, offering a glimpse into her experiences as a woman in the traditionally male-dominated field of digital infrastructure. She sheds light on how she’s working to make the industry more inclusive and welcoming for women. Dan discusses his new book, Bandwidth, and the personal and professional milestones that led to the creation of his company Zayo, a fiber network powerhouse. The two reminisce about their first meeting at MetroConnect and reflect on the early days of the telecom industry, offering unique insights into its evolution and what the future might hold. Click here to learn more about Broadstaff: https://broadstaffglobal.com/about-us/ 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 Bill Barney to explore the evolution of digital infrastructure in Asia, the significance of the PTC conference, and personal anecdotes from their careers in the telecom industry. Bill shares insights from his time at AT&T and MCI, highlighting the importance of strategic partnerships and the role of conferences in shaping industry dynamics.  Bill and Dan delve into the complexities of leadership during the tumultuous times at WorldCom and Asia Global Crossing. They discuss Bernie Ebbers' leadership style, the rapid growth in Asia, and the challenges faced during the transition to Asia Global Crossing.  The conversation highlights the impact of financial engineering on corporate stability and the unique dynamics of leadership in high-pressure environments.  The PTC Conference will be held on January 19-22, 2025 in Honolulu, Hawaii and it is a great opportunity for people in the telecom and digital infrastructure fields to experience networking, insights, professional growth, and global exposure. Click here to learn more about PTC’25: https://www.ptc.org/ptc25/ 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 ofThe Bear Roars, Dan dives into the quantum world with Jun Ye, Fellow at NIST, JILA, and Adjoint Professor of Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder. Jun is a visionary in precision timekeeping, known for his pioneering work with optical atomic clocks. These innovations earned him global recognition, including the Yuri Milner Breakthrough Prize and the Niels Bohr Medal.Dan and Jun explore how slowing down atoms using lasers led to unparalleled advancements in measuring time—down to unimaginable precision. They also uncover the science behind relativity, quantum superposition, and the incredible potential of time as an environmental sensor, from detecting earthquakes to mapping Earth’s gravitational shifts.This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the cutting edge of physics, the future of quantum technology, or how fundamental science shapes the world around us.Key Topics:The creation of optical atomic clocks and their precisionHow quantum mechanics and Einstein’s relativity intersect in timekeepingUsing laser-cooled atoms to revolutionize measurementsPractical applications of time sensors in understanding Earth's dynamicsClick here to learn more about Jun Ye and the Ye Labs at JILA: https://jila.colorado.edu/yelabs/people/yePre-order your copy of Bandwidth today at dan-caruso.com/book

Dan sits down with Natty Zola, Partner at Matchstick Ventures. Matchstick Ventures invests in early-stage technology companies in rapidly growing yet under-served startup ecosystems “between the coasts.” Before joining Matchstick, Natty co-founded Everlater, a travel startup backed by Techstars which eventually merged with Mapquest. Later he served as Managing Director of Techstars Boulder, guiding 63 companies through the accelerator, including transformative startups like Veho, Soona, and Tilt. Dan and Natty discuss Natty’s entrepreneurial journey, from launching Everlater to shaping the Techstars accelerator and eventually transitioning to venture capital. They delve into the evolution of Techstars, the dynamics of building community within the startup ecosystem, and Matchstick Ventures’ unique approach to investing in high-potential founders. The conversation also explores pivotal lessons learned from working with exceptional CEOs, the art of pivoting in business, and how to foster resilience in startups. The conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, strategic thinking, and building businesses with a long-term vision for impact. Click here to learn more about Natty Zola and Matchstick Ventures: https://www.matchstickventures.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.

Dan sits down with Ron Garan, a former NASA Astronaut, author, keynote speaker, and businessman. Ron has had an extraordinary journey starting as a fighter pilot in Desert Shield and Desert Storm to becoming a NASA astronaut on the Space Shuttle Discovery and a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Ron’s published books include Railroad to the Moon, The Orbital Perspective, and Floating in Darkness. In this episode, Dan and Ron discuss the path that led him to space, including his time as an instructor at a flight academy, where he honed his skills and learned the limits of human and machine capabilities. Inspired by the moon landing, Ron fulfilled his dream of becoming an astronaut. Ron details his remarkable experiences in space, including a six-month stint aboard the International Space Station, where he conducted spacewalks and participated in a joint mission with Russian cosmonauts. Ron and Dan touch on the question of who will walk on the moon next and what the future holds for lunar exploration. In addition to his work in space, Ron delves into his humanitarian efforts, such as clean water initiatives in Rwanda, and the sense of interconnectedness he’s gained through these projects.  Click here to learn more about Ron: https://www.rongaran.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.

Dan sits down with Nick Del Deo, who currently serves as the Managing Director at MoffettNathanson, a leading independent equity research publisher. Dan and Nick’s professional paths first crossed during the Zayo IPO roadshow in 2014, when Nick was a young talented analyst reporting on Dan’s company, Zayo. Nick has grown his career analyzing telecom companies, infrastructure investments, and market trends. Nick’s insights provide a deeper understanding of where the telecom sector is headed.  Nick has an extensive background in telecommunications, having worked as a Vice President at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC, where he covered U.S. telecommunications and cable/satellite sectors.  In this episode, Dan and Nick discuss the rise and fall of the telecom industry, the future of digital infrastructure, and touch on the opportunities and challenges facing companies in this space. Bandwidth is available for pre-order, with a February 2025 release date. Head to dan-caruso.com/book for more details.  Click here to learn more about MoffettNathanson: https://www.moffettnathanson.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.

Dan sits down with Tamim Khalfa, Co-Founder and CEO of Toters. Toters is an on-demand delivery platform based in Lebanon that connects users with restaurants, grocery stores, and various retailers, providing fast and convenient delivery services. Tamim is also an Endeavor Entrepreneur and Board Member through Endeavor Lebanon. Prior to Toters, Tamim was a Management Consultant at Booz & Company and Oliver Wyman. Dan and Tamim discuss the evolution of Toters, including its revenue streams, funding journey, and investor relationships. They also discuss the challenges faced during Toters’ growth, the impact of the economic crisis, and the resilience required to build a business in such a tumultuous setting. The conversation delves into the complexities of payment systems and the innovative FinTech solutions implemented to navigate a cash-dominated economy. Tamim also reflects on his personal journey from consulting to entrepreneurship and Endeavor’s role in supporting startups in the region. The conversation highlights the importance of adaptability, strategic planning, and community support in building a successful business in challenging environments. Click here to learn more about Toters: https://www.totersapp.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.

Dan sits down with Stephanie Copeland, Managing Partner at Four Points Funding. Dan and Stephanie relive the telecom era and their career journeys, including working together at Level 3 and Zayo group. This episode includes many great stories about the early bandwidth days and those influential in shaping the sector: from illegal stock swaps, accounting fraud, to larger than life characters that followed a strict ethical code. Stephanie is currently Managing Partner at Four Points Funding. She previously worked as the President of Wavelengths, IP, Ethernet, and SONET at Zayo Group and has 20+ years of experience in the communications industry. Stephanie joined Zayo in 2012 as Senior Vice President of the European Business Unit and prior to her current role, she ran Zayo’s Ethernet Business Unit. Bandwidth is available for pre-order with a February 4 2025 release date. Head to dan-caruso.com/book for more details. Click here to learn more about Stephanie and Four Points Funding: https://www.fourpointsfunding.com/team/stephanie-copeland To nominate a founder or to nominate yourself as a future guest speaker on our podcast, please send an email to contact@loudbearproductions.com.

Dan sits down with Brandon Spano, the CEO of ALLCITY Network. ALLCITY is a content-focused sports media company that provides in-depth coverage, podcasts, and videos focused on professional and collegiate sports teams in 5 cities across the US: Denver, Phoenix, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Dallas. They also have physical bar locations in each of these cities, which offer a hub for passionate local sports fans. Dan and Brandon discuss ALLCITY’s story in detail, including its roots in Denver as the BSN Network and scaling the company by adding other cities. They dive into ALLCITY’s fundraising history and goals for a future Series C round. Click here to learn more about ALLCITY Network: https://allcitynetwork.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.

This is Part II of Dan's sit down with Bob Yates, a prominent figure in the Boulder, Colorado community. In Part II, Dan and Bob discuss their shared history in the world of telecom in relation to Dan's book, Bandwidth. Bob kicked off his career as a young lawyer at Fraser Stryker LLC in Omaha, Nebraska. He got sucked into the telecom rollercoaster ride through Fraser Stryker's work with Kiewit Construction Company, who invested in a small fiber optics company, Chicago Fiber Optics (later Metropolitan Fiber Systems). With the success of MFS, Bob's interest in the fiber optic industry took off. Join us as Dan and Bob discuss their career journeys, the colorful characters they encountered, and recall the energy of the boom and bust of the internet and its impact on the world. Dan's book, Bandwidth, is available for pre-order at dan-caruso.com/bandwidthbook and will be released in February 2025. To nominate a founder or to nominate yourself as a future guest speaker on our podcast, please send an email to contact@loudbearproductions.com.