Turn Ideas Into Influence—and Influence Into Capital | Nick Cooney | 655

Can doing good in the world be quantified like ROI?

Peter Winick sits down with Nick Cooney, founder and managing partner of Lever VC, to explore how a venture capitalist measures moral return alongside financial return. Nick’s not your typical VC—he’s also the author of "What We Don't Do: Inaction in the Face of Suffering and the Drive to Do More", a book that fuses analytical thinking with a deep commitment to reducing suffering.

Nick reveals how dictating thoughts during a long car ride led to a full-fledged book deal with Simon & Schuster. But this isn’t just a passion project—it’s a strategic move. Nick shares how writing the book expands his credibility with mission-driven founders and impact-minded investors.

You’ll hear how he uses the “Brady Rule”—a nod to NFL legend Tom Brady—to challenge philanthropists to pursue giving with the same intensity as professional athletes pursue greatness. And how the overlap between financial rigor and moral responsibility creates a powerful (and rare) kind of leader.

Peter and Nick dive into the strategic value of thought leadership for VCs: from deal flow to LP trust, to long-game positioning. Plus, Nick shares what he’s learned from marketing the book, why the publishing timeline misses the mark, and what feedback surprised him most.

This is a conversation for anyone looking to align meaning with metrics—and use content to drive serious business outcomes.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Thought Leadership Can Power Business Strategy
Nick’s book isn’t just a personal project—it’s a tool to build credibility, drive deal flow, and attract like-minded investors and founders. A well-positioned book can serve as your most powerful business card.

• Impact and Analytics Aren’t Mutually Exclusive
Nick bridges the gap between rigorous financial thinking and doing good. He argues that applying ROI-based decision-making to philanthropy and impact can dramatically increase the effectiveness of our efforts to reduce suffering.

• You Can—and Should—Train for Good Like an Athlete
One standout idea from Nick’s book is the “Brady Rule”—a call for people to approach doing good in the world with the same intensity, discipline, and optimization mindset as elite athletes do their sport.

If Nick Cooney’s episode got you thinking about how doing good can be measured, optimized, and scaled—then you’ll want to dive into our conversation with Dr. Moshe Engelberg. Like Nick, Moshe challenges traditional business thinking by bringing purpose and values into the spotlight. In his episode, we explore how love—yes, love—can be a strategic business advantage, driving both culture and performance. Both Nick and Moshe offer bold frameworks for leaders who want to align their success with meaningful impact. If you’re rethinking ROI to include humanity, ethics, and long-term value, this is the perfect next listen:
Love from Thought Leadership with Moshe Engelberg