People are the Answer

Jeffrey M. Zucker
  • 5.0 (12)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

How innovators are responding to the world’s biggest challenges. — Serial entrepreneur and philanthropist Jeffrey M. Zucker talks weekly with innovators creating transformational social impact. They discuss their journeys in philanthropy, business, and life.

  1. 108: Jeremy Gardner on Founding Mystic Ventures, Crypto's Evolution & Ethical Psychedelic Investing

    07/09/2025

    108: Jeremy Gardner on Founding Mystic Ventures, Crypto's Evolution & Ethical Psychedelic Investing

    SHOW NOTES: Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/ywqLDnnvNB0 Jeremy Gardner is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Mystic Ventures, a venture fund focused on psychedelic medicine.  In this episode, Jeremy joins the podcast to share his journey from rebellious youth to impactful investor. He discusses his early work in crypto, passion for psychedelics, views on masculinity, and the importance of empathy in leadership and life. We also explore his filmmaking journey and direct philanthropic work that’s changing lives around the world. Chapters: 00:00 – Existential Drive & Crypto Disillusionment Jeremy talks about being driven by impact, not money, and shares insights from the crypto industry. 07:25 – Van Life & Love for Colorado Jeremy discusses traveling in a camper van, visiting Colorado, and enjoying nature and freedom. 11:02 – Childhood & Upbringing in Northampton He reflects on growing up in a progressive town and how that shaped his worldview. 18:40 – School Struggles & Formative Japan Experience Jeremy shares about getting arrested, ADHD, and a life-changing stint in Japan as a kid. 26:25 – College Chaos & Rediscovering Purpose Stories of dropping out, psychedelic revelations, and developing a self-designed major at Bard. 34:15 – Political Internship & Occupy Wall Street Roots Jeremy details his work at the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and how Occupy led him to crypto. 42:50 – Founding the Blockchain Education Network How Jeremy launched a global student movement that became foundational in crypto education. 50:00 – Reflections on Crypto’s Evolution He critiques the industry’s trajectory, Wall Street influences, and his return to crypto with a new company. 55:42 – MadeMan Skincare & Positive Masculinity Jeremy shares the vision behind his skincare brand aimed at redefining masculinity. 1:00:05 – Psychedelics, Purpose & Mystic Ventures His lifelong relationship with psychedelics and launching Mystic Ventures to support ethical psychedelic businesses. 1:10:50 – Investing Ethically & Impact Over Profit Jeremy discusses founder alignment, success metrics, and why impact drives his portfolio decisions. 1:18:15 – Filmmaking & Crypto Castle Productions From dream to reality—producing films, lessons from Cannes to Netflix, and staying creatively fulfilled. 1:28:50 – Making Impact Tangible Stories of helping people directly, including funding food aid in Afghanistan and empowering entrepreneurs. 1:36:40 – Global Empathy, Conflict & Perspective Deep dive into Middle East politics, the need for empathy, and perspectives on conflict and identity. 1:45:35 – Legacy, Gratitude & What Matters Most Jeremy reflects on life satisfaction, fulfillment, and what he’s most grateful for if it all ended tomorrow. Jeremy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jg1578/ https://www.instagram.com/gonzogardner/ https://x.com/Disruptepreneur Mystic Ventures: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mystic-ventures/ https://venture.angellist.com/v/back/mystic-ventures-2 Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 6/16/25

    1h 23m
  2. 107: Bryan Mauk shares lessons in the unhoused community, recovery, and scaling social enterprise for justice reform

    07/02/2025

    107: Bryan Mauk shares lessons in the unhoused community, recovery, and scaling social enterprise for justice reform

    SHOW NOTES: Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/D7zlefTWd5g Bryan Mauk is a passionate social entrepreneur and advocate for criminal justice and drug policy reform. He currently leads End It For Good, championing health-centered approaches to addiction and incarceration, building on decades of grassroots and executive experience in housing, reentry, and digital access.  In this episode, Bryan and Jeffrey discuss social impact, recovery & scaling reform. Bryan also shares his journey from teen volunteer to national nonprofit leader. Learn how his early work with the unhoused inspired a lifelong mission of healing trauma, empowering second chances, and advancing compassionate drug policy with End It For Good. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro Clip 0:55 - What Motivates You? 2:50 - Early Life 10:23 - College Experience 17:53 - PC's for People 21:33 - End It For Good  26:47 - Making Your Mark 37:21 - Upcoming Initiatives   41:54 - When Work Affected Change 46:54 - Mentor 50:35 - Ask Jeff a Question 52:21 - Most Grateful for  54:11 - Most Proud of 56:35 - Snap Your Fingers 59:47 - How to Support Bryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-mauk-77a04310/ End It For Good: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enditforgoodms/ https://enditforgood.com/ https://www.instagram.com/enditforgoodms/ https://www.facebook.com/EndItForGoodMS/ Other resources: The PBS documentary “Her Time” is actually called “Apart” - https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/apart/ Free copy of End It For Good founder Christina Dent’s book, Curious: A Foster Mom's Discovery of an Unexpected Solution to Drugs and Addiction, to the first 5 listeners that email them at curious@enditforgood.com and include the name People are the Answer!  Christina Dent’s been on PatA podcast twice: Episode #’s 4 and 94 Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 4/24/25

    1h 2m
  3. 106: Taylor West on advancing psychedelic policy, aligning incentives with humanity, and mindful parenting

    06/25/2025

    106: Taylor West on advancing psychedelic policy, aligning incentives with humanity, and mindful parenting

    SHOW NOTES: Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/NO9xrHpgBOc In Episode 106 of People Are the Answer, Taylor West, Executive Director of the Healing Advocacy Fund, joins Jeffrey Zucker to discuss her path from political advocacy to pioneering work in psychedelic-assisted therapy policy. Taylor opens up about the human side of policymaking, the challenges and revelations of parenting, and her vision for realigning economic incentives to better serve humanity. A powerful conversation on healing, storytelling, and purposeful change. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro Clip 1:26 - Introductions 2:35 - What Motivates You? 6:28 - Where did you grow up? 14:42 - Policy Reform 19:50 - First Steps Post College 29:21 - Political Campaigning 35:52 - Legalization of Adult Use Cannabis 44:36 - Psychedelics 57:19 - Healing Advocacy Fund 1:07:16 - Finding Balance 1:14:14 - When Work Affected Change 1:17:23 - Ask Jeff a Question 1:20:59 - Most Grateful for 1:29:27 - Snap Your Fingers 1:33:41 - How to Support Taylor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-west-34736455/ Healing Advocacy Fund: https://www.linkedin.com/company/healing-advocacy-fund/ https://healingadvocacyfund.org/ Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 4/9/25  📣 Share your story to support the movement 💬 Subscribe for more human-centered conversations

    1h 36m
  4. 105: Bennie Fowler on NFL Transition, Leadership, and Finding Purpose After Football

    06/18/2025

    105: Bennie Fowler on NFL Transition, Leadership, and Finding Purpose After Football

    SHOW NOTES: Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/Eu4LRqArAj4 Bennie Fowler is a Super Bowl-winning former NFL wide receiver turned leadership coach, speaker, and author. Drawing on his experience with elite teams and iconic quarterbacks, he now empowers individuals and organizations through mentorship, mindset training, and purpose-driven communication. Chapters: 0:58 - Intro 2:33 - What Motivates You? 7:07 - Where Did You Grow Up? 10:42 - Giving Back 16:00 - Collegiate Ball 21:53 - Peyton Manning's Last Career Pass 23:32 - Denver 26:12 - Sports Retirement 29:21 - Silver Spoon: The Imperfect Guide to Success 32:35 - Life After Retirement 37:06 - Entrepreneurship 39:04 - When Work Affected Change 40:24 - Mentors 44:12 - Staying Involved with the Broncos 47:26 - Most Grateful for 48:40 - Snap Your Fingers 51:23 - How to Support Bennie: ​​https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennie-fowler-iii-a43027173/ https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/silver-spoon-the-imperfect-guide-to-success_bennie-fowler/26139897/item/53977891/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=low_vol_backlist_standard_shopping_retention_17605068861&utm_adgroup=&utm_term=&utm_content=606977662558&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwna6_BhCbARIsALId2Z22cnMpSd6JxaINLz3xMZpYNXt9ShwBCuoRKPRiL0Zzbmg1Fe9GUn8aAmBkEALw_wcB#idiq=53977891&edition=27636296 CapRock: https://www.linkedin.com/company/caprock-alignedwealth/ ​​https://caprock.com/ Other resources: Broncos podcast - https://thednvr.com/broncos/podcast/page/2/ Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 4/8/25

    52 min
  5. 104: Pamela Metzger on Systemic Justice Reform

    02/26/2025

    104: Pamela Metzger on Systemic Justice Reform

    Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/j_ArBxK8Gfk Pamela Metzger, Director of the Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center at SMU, shares her transformative journey as a dedicated public defender who navigated the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, advocating for thousands of detainees in New Orleans. Discover how this life-changing experience led to systemic reforms in criminal justice, focusing on the right to counsel and prosecutorial practices. Learn about the innovative approaches being implemented to ensure justice and empathy in the legal system. Chapters: 0:00 - Clip 0:56 - Intro 1:32 - What Motivates You? 4:50 - Law School 6:54 - Upbringing 12:14 - Women's Resources 17:24 - Steps After Law School 20:33 - Running University Clinics 22:25 - Katrina 37:20 - When You Were Recruited 42:47 - AI 52:02 - Randomized Control 58:01 - Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center 59:37 - To Those Who Think Everyone in CJ System is Bad 1:06:44 - Reaching Across the Aisle 1:12:42 - Passions Outside of Criminal Justice 1:16:43 - Most Grateful for 1:18:53 - Snap Your Fingers 1:20:37 - How to Support Pamela Metzger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-metzger-07b90715a/ Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deasoncenter/ https://www.smu.edu/law/centers-and-initiatives/deason-center https://www.instagram.com/smulawdeason/ Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 1/30/25

    1h 16m
  6. 103: Pip Lawrence on growing up on the nonprofit world, neuroscience, Wall Street in ‘08, and psychedelic therapy

    01/15/2025

    103: Pip Lawrence on growing up on the nonprofit world, neuroscience, Wall Street in ‘08, and psychedelic therapy

    Show notes: In this episode, Pip Lawrence, the co-founder and Managing Partner of Delphi VC, and Jeffrey Zucker discuss growing up in the nonprofit world, neuroscience, Wall Street in ‘08, and psychedelic therapy. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 2:09 - Delphi VC 4:03 - What Motivates You? 8:24 - What Made You Want to Give Back? 11:30 - From College to VC 18:46 - Cognitive Neuroscience and Art 26:27 - Psychedelics 32:44 - Balancing Mission and Impact 38:26 - Delphi's Portfolio 45:38 - Toxins in Cannabis 50:48 - Women's Health 54:57 - Conservation 1:00:45 - Great Grandson of a Congressman 1:04:51 - AI & Lessons from the Holocaust 1:14:52 - Snap Your Fingers 1:16:41 - How to Support Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/hP-R3gsLeBQ Delphi VC: https://www.delphi.vc/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/delphi-vc/ https://www.instagram.com/delphi.vc/ https://x.com/Delphi_VC Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 12/11/24

    1h 18m
  7. 102: Dr. Rick Doblin on activism, psychedelics, epigenetics, and generational trauma

    12/18/2024

    102: Dr. Rick Doblin on activism, psychedelics, epigenetics, and generational trauma

    Dr. Rick Doblin, founder of Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), and Jeff Zucker discuss activism, psychedelics, epigenetics, generational trauma, and more. Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/xlsVDPRvDtE Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 2:34 - People are the Answer 4:37 - Put it Into Practice 5:56 - Intention 10:24 - Fear and Motivation 12:05 - What Motivates You? 19:45 - How Relatives Coped with the Holocaust 24:36 - Epigenetics of Trauma 26:29 - Giving Back in Early Life 33:43 - Global Spirituality 39:49 - What Lead to Starting MAPS? 52:44 - How Do We Move Forward with MDMA? 57:08 - State Level an Option? 1:00:28 - MAPS Cannabis Project 1:02:18 - Medical Cannabis in SC 1:05:02 - How Do You Avoid Burnout? 1:07:18 - What is MAPS Working on Now? 1:11:04 - Oregon Recriminalization 1:13:17 - Snap Your Fingers 1:15:26 - How to Support Rick Doblin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickdoblin/ https://www.instagram.com/rickdoblinphd/ MAPS: https://maps.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/mapsnews/ https://www.instagram.com/maps__org/ https://www.facebook.com/mapsmdma https://twitter.com/MAPS https://www.youtube.com/c/mapsmdma https://www.reddit.com/user/MAPSPsychedelic/?rdt=36196 Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 12/3/24

    1h 16m
  8. 101: Cortney Woodruff on democratizing world class education

    11/20/2024

    101: Cortney Woodruff on democratizing world class education

    Show notes: In this episode, Cortney and Jeffrey discuss his learnings in his grandparents grocery store as a kid, his dedication to academics, how he sometimes spent years opening up opportunities, building and growing a business that helped fitness trainers build thriving businesses, living all over the world, changing education, and much more Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qknWDZeSCDw Learn more: Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 10/31/24 Cortney Woodruff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortney-woodruff-7182222b/ https://www.instagram.com/tvcort/ Assemble: https://www.linkedin.com/company/assembleftobegreat/ https://www.assemble.fyi/ https://www.instagram.com/assemble.fyi/ https://x.com/AssembleFYi Bio: Cortney Woodruff is the American tech investor, entrepreneur, and founder, CEO of Trainersvault as well as the Co-founder & CEO of the online education platform, Assemble. The international businessman and former Division 1 athlete integrates fitness, finance, tech, and entertainment to empower Black and brown youth through instruction. Woodruff’s mission merges worlds and creates opportunity by connecting Black thought leaders across industries to a broad learning community. The Jackson, Mississippi native has lived in over 10 cities across the United States, Europe, and Asia throughout a self-started career raising seed capital. Dedicated to normalizing success in the Black community, his work combines an expansive worldview with a thriving professional network. Woodruff lives in Los Angeles, California. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 3:36 - What motivates you? 4:35 - Early Life 9:01 - Success in Mississippi 11:59 - Education 17:10 - First Start Up 19:11 - Trainer's Vault 44:13 - Assemble 56:12 - How to Access Assemble 56:59 - How Does Assemble Recruit Experts? 59:54 - Future of Assemble 1:02:59 - Evolution of Education 1:09:16 - When Work Affected Change 1:12:39 - Ask Jeff a Question 1:16:30 - Snap Your Fingers 1:20:06 - How to Support

    1h 22m
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How innovators are responding to the world’s biggest challenges. — Serial entrepreneur and philanthropist Jeffrey M. Zucker talks weekly with innovators creating transformational social impact. They discuss their journeys in philanthropy, business, and life.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeffrey M. Zucker
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    111
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jeffrey M. Zucker
  • Show Website
    People are the Answer