Midcon Markup

Hosted by Cortado Ventures

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Feb 2025

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About the show

In a world where talent is evenly distributed but venture capital is concentrated in coastal silos, smart startup money is heading for the Midcontinent. The MidCon Markup podcast uncovers the inspiring stories of our visionary tech entrepreneurs and the investors who believe in them. Listen, learn, and make your Midcon Markup! Hosted by Cortado Ventures.

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28 recent

February 27, 2025Episode 271 hr 21 min

Midcon Markup Ep. 27: Networking is a Skill You can Hone with Deliberate Practice with David Woods

Many people think that you are either a natural-born networker or you just aren't cut out for it. David Woods proves that wrong, as he was voted the shyest kid in school and later authored the book "The Art of Networking" after decades of experience as a CEO and executive coach. Tune into our latest episode to learn how to improve your ability to motivate, communicate, and connect with other people!

February 13, 2025Episode 261 hr 9 min

Midcon Markup Ep. 26: Moving Forward After 15 Years of Wrongful Incarceration with Richard Miles

The equal protection of the justice system is a narrative that brings us comfort, but for Richard Miles and thousands of others, it is a painful myth. Richard served 15 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit, while the prosecutors who withheld exculpatory evidence faced no meaningful consequences. Richard's journey overcoming jadedness and anger to serve as a pioneering nonprofit entrepreneur will inspire all who listen to our latest episode!

January 30, 2025Episode 2528 min

Midcon Markup Ep. 25: Everything You Want from Your Lawyer with Bill Richmond

Lawyers have a reputation for being merchants of "No" in their desire to help clients minimize risk. Bill Richmond argues that the best lawyers seek to understand their clients' long-term goals and serve as collaborative partners in helping them get to "Yes." Tune into our latest episode to learn how startups can optimize their return on investment from legal representation.

January 16, 2025Episode 2449 min

Midcon Markup Ep. 24: Thinking to Maximize Community Impact with Lynn McBee

Some communities have a universally respected and beloved behind-the-scenes leader with a Midas Touch for all things impact. If you have lived in Dallas for long, you know that person is Lynn McBee. Tune in to learn how this biochemist Superwoman simultaneously built a successful drug development career while serving as CEO, Chair, or mentor to the most impactful initiatives supporting Greater Dallas from homelessness to the environment to upward mobility.

January 2, 2025Episode 2322 min

Midcon Markup Ep. 23: College is Perfect Time to Found Your first Startup with Trevor Gicheru

While college years are associated with in-classroom learning and extracurricular partying, Trevor Gicheru proves it is also the perfect time to start your first startup. Startups require an immense amount of time and community support, but the fire-house learnings can sharpen your spear faster than conventional schooling and employment. Tune in to hear how Trevor has capitalized on his college experience to build a transformational AI ed-tech solution called Nurovant.

December 19, 2024Episode 2257 min

Midcon Markup Ep. 22: Overcoming Addiction to Achieve Athletic and Podcasting Fame with Rich Roll

A hero's journey is rarely a straight path, but few have winded as abruptly as Rich Rolls'. Overcoming childhood insecurities through competitive swimming, Rich had everything going for him as a D1 Stanford Swimmer. Alcoholism had other ideas, stealing his prime swimming potential, destroying a marriage, and leading him into two DUIs. Rich's redemption story to global ultra-endurance and podcasting stardom teaches everyone how far listening, vulnerability, and conviction can take you.

December 5, 2024Episode 2148 min

Midcon Markup Ep. 21: How to be Yourself with Investors with Kevin Moore

Most people go through their everyday lives trapped behind their own lens of the world. This lack of empathy is especially palpable when VCs are raising money from LPs and when founders are raising money from VCs, where the temptation to oversell to pick up a check as fast as possible is overwhelming. Oklahoma-based emerging manager VC Kevin Moore shares great wisdom in this episode about learning to be yourself, empathizing with the goals of your counterparty, and building genuine relationships with investors for the long haul.

November 21, 2024Episode 2044 min

Midcon Markup Ep. 20: Dreams Too Big for Medical School with Deborah Moorad

Medicine is a profession mothers tend to love. High on virtue, prestige, and income, life as a doctor is rewarding and lucrative. Discontinuing a medical school route is common for people with practical life considerations, but for Deborah Moorad, med school was a dense obstacle impeding her inexorable journey to transform patient lives through biotech innovation. Tune in to hear how to blend technical expertise and relationships to shepherd biotech projects from idea to exit!

November 7, 2024Episode 1945 min

Midcon Markup Ep. 19: Bringing Canadian Founder Energy to Oklahoma VC with Matt Waraich

Moving from Vancouver, British Columbia to Oklahoma City, OK is rare enough, let alone for venture capital. According to Matt Waraich, the geographic arbitrage thesis of non-coastal venture firms is resonating in coastal markets more than Oklahomans realize. Tune in to hear what attracted him to Cortado Ventures, why he made such a large career bet transitioning from Canadian founder to Oklahoma venture capitalist, and how founders can best communicate with him and other VCs.

October 24, 2024Episode 1859 min

Midcon Markup Ep. 18: Dedicating Your Life to Social Impact with Ed Long

New research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) demonstrates an overwhelming negative correlation between the severity/frequency of childhood trauma and lifetime well-being outcomes. Ed Long overcame childhood trauma to pursue a Master's of Public Administration and completed all coursework for a Ph.D. in Political Science. However, instead of following the direct government path, he set his sights on driving broader change. Tune in to hear how Ed leverages his research background to become a social impact pioneer, optimizing sustainable solutions for social problems with economic models that attract public, private, and philanthropic capital.