The Bear Roars

Loud Bear Productions
  • 4.7 (14)
  • Business

The Bear Roars is hosted by three-time decacorn entrepreneur and venture investor Dan Caruso. Colorado Innovators, the Bandwidth revolution (associated with Dan's book), and DeepTech are areas of focus. The purpose is to celebrate innovators, inspire listeners, and spark conversations within the innovation community.

  1. 6d ago

    Colorado Innovators: Don Strasburg, President of AEG

    In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Don Strasburg—President of AEG Presents—for a conversation about the evolution of Colorado’s live music scene, entrepreneurship, and the enduring power of shared experiences. Don reflects on his unlikely journey from Grateful Dead-obsessed college student to one of the country’s most influential concert promoters. He shares how bringing Phish to Colorado College sparked a career, why opening the Fox Theatre at just 22 years old became the foundation for everything that followed. They explore the rise of Colorado as a national music destination, the creation of legendary venues like the Fox Theatre, Fillmore Auditorium, and Mission Ballroom, and how AEG grew from a challenger with no market share to the leading concert promoter at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Along the way, Don shares behind-the-scenes stories of artists like Sublime, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Coldplay, John Fogerty, and Willie Nelson, while reflecting on the risks, setbacks, and persistence required to build a lasting business. Learn more about AEG Presents: https://www.aegpresents.com/ Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: https://dan-caruso.com/book Listen to Dan’s song Stretch: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dancaruso/stretch Check 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

  2. Jul 15

    Rebecca Holmes, Principal and CEO of Colorado Education Initiative

    Rebecca Holmes, President and CEO of the Colorado Education Initiative, joins The Bear Roars for a thoughtful conversation on how artificial intelligence is transforming K–12 education and what it will take to prepare the next generation for an AI-powered future. Rebecca shares how Colorado is helping school districts responsibly integrate AI into classrooms, why she’s optimistic about teachers embracing new technology, and how AI can free educators to focus on the deeply human aspects of teaching. Together, her and Dan explore the growing AI divide, the importance of equitable access across urban and rural communities, and the role philanthropy, innovation, and leadership will play in shaping the future of public education. They also discuss why today’s education system must evolve beyond traditional instruction, how robotics, project-based learning, and career-connected education can better prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce, and why balancing technological advancement with critical thinking, creativity, and human connection will be one of education’s greatest challenges in the years ahead. Learn more about the Colorado Education Initiative: https://coloradoedinitiative.org/ Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: https://dan-caruso.com/book Listen to Dan’s song Stretch: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dancaruso/stretch Check 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

  3. Jul 8

    Colorado Innovators: Rick Sapkin, Owner of Edgemark

    In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Rick Sapkin—Founder and CEO of Edgemark—for a conversation on real estate, leadership, innovation, and the future of Colorado. Drawing on more than four decades of experience building and investing in commercial real estate, Rick shares how Edgemark has evolved from developing retail centers to investing in affordable housing, self-storage, and luxury senior living communities. Together, Rick and Dan explore why Colorado’s collaborative culture has fueled decades of growth, the challenges facing downtown Denver and housing affordability, and how business leaders can work alongside government to create stronger communities. They also discuss the impact of AI on society and infrastructure, the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship, why empathy and civil discourse matter in today’s political climate, and what it will take to ensure Colorado remains a place where businesses—and people—can thrive. Learn more about Edgemark: https://www.edgemark.com/ Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: https://dan-caruso.com/book Listen to Dan’s song Stretch: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dancaruso/stretch Check 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

  4. Jun 30

    Colorado Innovators: Carl Williams, Principal CEO at CJW Quantum Consulting

    In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Dr. Carl Williams—former Director of the NIST Quantum Information Program and founder of CJW Quantum Consulting—for an in-depth conversation on the past, present, and future of quantum technology.Carl shares stories from more than three decades at the forefront of quantum science, including his role in launching the U.S. quantum initiative, working alongside Nobel Prize-winning researchers, and helping establish Boulder as one of the world’s leading quantum hubs. Together, he and Dan break down the fundamentals of quantum mechanics—from entanglement and quantum teleportation to Bose-Einstein condensates and neutral atoms—and explain how these discoveries are shaping the next generation of computing.Learn more about CJW Quantum Consulting: https://cjwquantum.com/Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: https://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/@jaceallenTo nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

  5. Jun 17

    Colorado Innovators: Bijal Choksi, Founding Partner at HuWork

    In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with psychologist, leadership advisor, and HuWork co-founder Bijal Choksi for a thought-provoking conversation on the human side of the AI revolution.Drawing from her new book, Still Human: How to Build Organizations Where Leaders and Teams Thrive with AI, Bijal shares why the greatest challenges of AI may have less to do with technology and more to do with people. Together, Dan and Bijal explore the growing fear of becoming obsolete, the future of leadership, and the skills that will matter most in an AI-powered world.The conversation spans education, workplace culture, creativity, human connection, and the evolving relationship between AI and society. Bijal introduces the concept of “Human Edge Skills” and explains why relationship-building, influence, strategic thinking, and teamwork may become even more valuable as AI capabilities continue to accelerate.Dan and Bijal also dive into broader questions around biotechnology, longevity, and what it means to flourish as humans in a future shaped by AI. Learn more about HuWork: https://huworkteam.com/Order Still Human: How to Build Organizations Where Leaders and Teams Thrive with AI: https://huworkteam.com/bookOrder Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: https://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/@jaceallenTo nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

  6. Jun 9

    Re-release Michael Dougherty, Boulder County District Attorney

    In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty for a candid conversation about prosecuting serious crime, leading through public crises, and what the Attorney General’s job demands.Michael reflects on his path from prosecuting homicide and sex crimes in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office to leading Boulder County as DA. He shares how that experience shaped his approach to complex cases, including human trafficking, domestic violence, and public corruption, as well as his work launching Colorado’s first human trafficking unit.The conversation covers Michael’s hands-on role in responding to major events such as the King Soopers mass shooting and the Marshall Fire, and how prosecutors coordinate with law enforcement and federal partners during emergencies. Michael also explains Boulder County’s use of diversion, mental health programs, and risk assessment tools to reduce repeat offenses while improving public safety.Dan and Michael discuss crime trends in Colorado, why consistent enforcement of the rule of law matters, and the dangers of politicizing the justice system. Michael also explains what the Attorney General’s office does day to day and why experience, independence, and integrity matter when leading Colorado’s largest law office.Learn more about Michael Dougherty: https://www.michaelforag.com/Reach out to: hello@michaelforag.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

  7. Jun 2

    Colorado Innovators: Mario Ciabarra Part 2, CEO and Founder at Quantum Metric

    In this episode of The Bear Roars, Mario Ciabarra returns — a year later — to join Dan Caruso for a wide-ranging conversation on building and scaling a company in the age of AI.Mario reflects on the journey that took him from serial entrepreneur to CEO of one of Colorado's most successful software scaleups — and how a well-timed nudge from John Chambers changed the trajectory of the entire company. He breaks down how Quantum Metric evolved from a digital analytics tool into a full agentic platform, why showing your work is the secret to earning trust from the world's largest retailers, airlines, and banks, and what it actually took to hit three consecutive record-breaking quarters.The conversation expands into the bigger forces reshaping enterprise software: how AI agents are replacing five-hour Sunday war rooms with answers delivered in seconds, and why the next generation of leaders must be fluent in both technology and business.Listen now to see what separates the companies moving fast enough to survive from the ones still living inside dashboards.Learn more about Quantum Metric: https://www.quantummetric.com/our-storyOrder 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): /@jaceallenTo nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

  8. May 26

    Colorado Innovators: Tony Fagan, CEO of VideoAMP

    In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with Tony Fagan—CEO of VideoAMP and one of the sharpest technical operators rebuilding a software company through the AI platform shift—for a wide-ranging conversation about building YouTube's ad business at Google, leading an established company through full-stack AI transformation, and the personal moment Claude started to out-reason him on a topic he thought he knew well. Tony breaks down the 15-year chapter at Google that taught him how to build software at scale. He led the data science and machine learning teams behind YouTube's advertising business, where the central sales problem was getting brand advertisers used to TV ads—predictable pricing, bulk discounts, unskippable spots—to buy auction-based, skippable digital ads. The breakthrough came from measurement: across 100,000+ campaigns, moving even 1% of a TV budget to YouTube could lift overall reach by 5–15% at the same spend. "Better together" became the pitch that finally unlocked brand budgets and helped quietly build YouTube into one of the largest ad businesses on the internet. Dan and Tony dig into the full scope of what VideoAMP has become: a streaming-data and measurement platform that unifies what households watch, what ads they're exposed to, and what actions they take—across YouTube, Amazon, Netflix, Disney, Paramount+, Meta, and on—around a single mission: helping advertisers actually measure and guarantee outcomes at scale. In four years the company has flipped from 95% services to 95% software, and is now one of the most technical operators in ad-tech, with roughly 360 employees and a tech stack being rebuilt in real time. The conversation takes a sharp turn into AI—and this is where it gets fascinating. Tony shares how he's rebuilding the hardest parts of the tech stack from scratch with six people and AI agents writing all the code, cutting compute costs to roughly 20%, and standing up custom LoRA-adapted models on their own hardware for specialized tasks like writing Rust and SQL. He talks about the "cowboy-coders" moment that taught him changing engineering culture isn't easy, how multi-agent workflows are quietly absorbing the institutional-knowledge work of middle management, and the personal turning point when Claude actually out-reasoned him on something he thought he knew. As Tony puts it: that's the moment you stop iterating and say, "wait, I'm not thinking big enough. I'm going to change everything." Learn more about VideoAMP: ⁠https://videoamp.com/⁠ 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 Listen to Dan's Song Stretch: ⁠https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dancaruso/stretch⁠ Check out music by Jason Mendelson (Jace Allen): /@jaceallen To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: ⁠contact@loudbearproductions.com

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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

The Bear Roars is hosted by three-time decacorn entrepreneur and venture investor Dan Caruso. Colorado Innovators, the Bandwidth revolution (associated with Dan's book), and DeepTech are areas of focus. The purpose is to celebrate innovators, inspire listeners, and spark conversations within the innovation community.

Information

  • Creator
    Loud Bear Productions
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    101
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Loud Bear Productions
  • Show Website
    The Bear Roars

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