People are the Answer

Hosted by Jeffrey M. Zucker

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111

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Jul 2025

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About the show

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.

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July 9, 2025Episode 81 hr 23 min

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/DisruptepreneurMystic Ventures:https://www.linkedin.com/company/mystic-ventures/https://venture.angellist.com/v/back/mystic-ventures-2Host: Jeffrey M. ZuckerProducer: Kait GreyEditor: Nick CaseRecording date: 6/16/25

July 2, 2025Episode 71 hr 1 min

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/D7zlefTWd5gBryan 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 Clip0:55 - What Motivates You?2:50 - Early Life10:23 - College Experience17:53 - PC's for People21:33 - End It For Good 26:47 - Making Your Mark37:21 - Upcoming Initiatives 41:54 - When Work Affected Change46:54 - Mentor50:35 - Ask Jeff a Question52:21 - Most Grateful for 54:11 - Most Proud of56:35 - Snap Your Fingers59:47 - How to SupportBryan: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 94Host: Jeffrey M. ZuckerProducer: Kait GreyEditor: Nick CaseRecording date: 4/24/25

June 25, 2025Episode 61 hr 36 min

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

SHOW NOTES:Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/NO9xrHpgBOcIn 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 Clip1:26 - Introductions2:35 - What Motivates You?6:28 - Where did you grow up?14:42 - Policy Reform19:50 - First Steps Post College29:21 - Political Campaigning35:52 - Legalization of Adult Use Cannabis44:36 - Psychedelics57:19 - Healing Advocacy Fund1:07:16 - Finding Balance1:14:14 - When Work Affected Change1:17:23 - Ask Jeff a Question1:20:59 - Most Grateful for1:29:27 - Snap Your Fingers1:33:41 - How to SupportTaylor: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. ZuckerProducer: Kait GreyEditor: Nick CaseRecording date: 4/9/25 📣 Share your story to support the movement 💬 Subscribe for more human-centered conversations

June 18, 2025Episode 552 min

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

SHOW NOTES:Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/Eu4LRqArAj4Bennie 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 - Intro2:33 - What Motivates You?7:07 - Where Did You Grow Up?10:42 - Giving Back16:00 - Collegiate Ball21:53 - Peyton Manning's Last Career Pass23:32 - Denver26:12 - Sports Retirement29:21 - Silver Spoon: The Imperfect Guide to Success32:35 - Life After Retirement37:06 - Entrepreneurship39:04 - When Work Affected Change40:24 - Mentors44:12 - Staying Involved with the Broncos47:26 - Most Grateful for48:40 - Snap Your Fingers51:23 - How to SupportBennie: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=27636296CapRock:https://www.linkedin.com/company/caprock-alignedwealth/https://caprock.com/Other resources:Broncos podcast - https://thednvr.com/broncos/podcast/page/2/Host: Jeffrey M. ZuckerProducer: Kait GreyEditor: Nick CaseRecording date: 4/8/25

February 26, 2025Episode 41 hr 16 min

104: Pamela Metzger on Systemic Justice Reform

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/j_ArBxK8GfkPamela 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 - Clip0:56 - Intro1:32 - What Motivates You?4:50 - Law School6:54 - Upbringing12:14 - Women's Resources17:24 - Steps After Law School20:33 - Running University Clinics22:25 - Katrina37:20 - When You Were Recruited42:47 - AI52:02 - Randomized Control58:01 - Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center59:37 - To Those Who Think Everyone in CJ System is Bad1:06:44 - Reaching Across the Aisle1:12:42 - Passions Outside of Criminal Justice1:16:43 - Most Grateful for1:18:53 - Snap Your Fingers1:20:37 - How to SupportPamela 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-centerhttps://www.instagram.com/smulawdeason/Host: Jeffrey M. ZuckerProducer: Kait GreyEditor: Nick CaseRecording date: 1/30/25

January 15, 2025Episode 31 hr 18 min

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

December 18, 2024Episode 21 hr 16 min

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

November 20, 2024Episode 11 hr 22 min

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

November 13, 2024Episode 101 hr 4 min

100: Alex Hodara and Vin Vomero on first venture together, developing projects, and their wild trips

Show notes: In this episode, Alex, Vin, and Jeffrey discuss their first venture together, developing projects, and their wild trips. They talk about the significance of the pod’s 100th episode, parenting philosophies, AI, the future, Gushers and more Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/w9y0lTmzEg8 Learn more: Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 10/23/24 Alex Hodara https://www.instagram.com/alexhodara/ Rocket Club: https://www.instagram.com/rocketclub/ https://rocketclub.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabkWY7bqg2GBYavVf99cPo3zLLnd_wfcj90cKRwiTjmgUFLWUCazWamKAc_aem_8LsZ3B56poZ1JpCtd5PQbg Vin Vomero https://www.instagram.com/vinnyboombatzz/ FoxyAI: https://foxyai.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/foxy-ai/ Other resources: Jeff’s Episodes - 85.1 https://youtu.be/hC3BlY5QvKA?si=HVvA5exgEf5OEDq_ 85.2 https://youtu.be/eSGC8WB2ssI?si=n0v2hdgU1X-Wk4C5 https://www.instagram.com/dfwdisneydad/ https://dailydad.com/ Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 1:50 - Get to Know Vin 3:05 - What Motivates Vin 5:30 - FoxyAI 7:06 - Alex and Rocket Club 10:55 - HPM 19:07 - Vin, Snap Your Fingers 22:54 - Alex, Snap Your Fingers 25:22 - Vin's Note to Jeff's Sons 26:20 - Jeff's Parents Inspiring Jeff 30:55 - Others Inspiring Jeff 32:55 - HPM Accidental Super Bowl Trip 39:51 - Hockey in Jamaica 42:35 - Disney Adults 47:02 - Parenting 54:27 - Reflecting 58:11 - Future Predictions

November 6, 2024Episode 91 hr 19 min

99: Bill Hughes on creating education-to-workforce models and removing barriers to jobs for those qualified but lacking degrees

Show notes: In this episode, Bill and Jeffrey discuss his unique path from Harlem through prestigious educational institutions, ultimately leading him to degrees at Harvard and MIT and working in software. After spending 9 years helping an education business with their digital transformation, he created JobReady, developing career-aligned course collections, enabling job seekers to follow pathways that lead to jobs and promotions. We discuss the company’s exit, how he found Education Design Lab, the lives changed along the way, and much more! Learn more: Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/W2fW6ZpF_2o Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 10/10/24 Bill Hughes https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhughes316/ Education Design Lab: https://www.linkedin.com/company/education-design-lab/ https://eddesignlab.org/ https://www.instagram.com/educationdesignlab/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6vgVHYOkJk6RIY6HJnyQBA Other resources: https://www.open4learning.com/ https://innovationlabs.harvard.edu/ https://www.edc.org/careers-edc?utm_source=edc&utm_medium=LN&utm_content=job&utm_campaign=smedcorg Bio: Software executive focused on new ventures, strategy, innovation, and product management. As CEO and Founder of JobReady, his goal is to deliver high-quality, affordable, relevant career pathways and credentials for the 21st century to a million job seekers and career shifters. JobReady is developing career-aligned course collections from the thousands of courses available, enabling job seekers to follow pathways that lead to jobs and promotions. Initial pathways will include cybersecurity, data science, project management, leadership, IT skills, business skills, and certification prep. Message Bill directly for more information about JobReady and how you can learn more. Expertise: Corporate strategy, business development, new ventures, win-win deals, software product management, new product development, venture capital, entrepreneurship, strategic consulting, project management, software development, financial analysis, analytical modeling, software patents. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 2:37 - New Majority Learner 4:51 - What Motivates You? 11:37 - Education 12:55 - Pearson 17:29 - Job Ready 21:59 - Education Design Lab 37:08 - Generative AI 49:54 - Why Can't We Get Re-Routed? 57:53 - EDL's Future 1:07:14 - When Work Affected Change 1:09:48 - Most Grateful for 1:12:53 - Snap Your Fingers 1:16:28 - How to Support