Ventures & Visionaries

Ventures & Visionaries

Ventures & Visionaries offers a deep dive into the minds of successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders at the intersection of business, technology, and innovation. Each episode focuses on the nuances of navigating business growth, leadership challenges, and embracing technology in today's dynamic environment.

Episodes

November 7, 2025 50 mins

In this episode of Ventures and Visionaries, I sit down with Zachary Karabell—author, researcher, and founder of The Progress Network—to explore how optimism can shape the way we navigate business, technology, and life. We dig into why balancing optimism with realism is critical, what AI disruption really means for the workforce, and how history gives us perspective on today’s anxieties. Zachary shares insights on finding opportuni...

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Hey everyone, it's Morty Hackel here on Ventures and Visionaries, diving into the wild world of AI transforming business and innovation. In this episode, I chat with John Furth, an executive coach and deep thinker, about how AI is shaking up leadership, mentorship, and even therapy. We explore whether machines can mimic empathy, the human edge in creativity and intuition, and how to strategically plan with AI tools without losi...

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In this episode of Ventures and Visionaries, I sit down with Dr. Alex Cahana, a physician turned investor and global thought leader, to explore how healthcare, finance, and data are colliding in today’s world. From opening pain centers worldwide to tackling the opioid crisis, Alex has seen firsthand how health, wealth, and trust are inseparably linked. We dive into the failures of current healthcare systems, the erosion of trust af...

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In this episode of Ventures and Visionaries, I sit down with Michael Moro, Chief Strategy Officer at INX, to explore how blockchain and tokenization are reshaping the financial world. Michael shares his journey from Wall Street to leading crypto ventures, the wild early days of Bitcoin, and why tokenized stocks, bonds, and real estate could redefine global markets. We discuss the convergence of AI and blockchain, regulatory challen...

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September 26, 2025 39 mins

In this episode of Ventures and Visionaries, I sit down with Bob Gault to talk about what it really takes to reinvent a company, align a leadership team, and drive revenue growth in both large enterprises and small, fast-growing businesses. Bob shares his journey from 17 years at Cisco to leading as a CRO, navigating cultural dysfunction, reshaping company identity, and scaling through acquisitions. We dive into the role of leaders...

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Is the tech world finally moving beyond Silicon Valley's shadow? In this episode, Mordy Hackel speaks with Dr. Oksana Malysheva, a physicist-turned-venture-capitalist who shares her journey from the Soviet Union to leading Austin’s Sputnik ATX VC. Oksana reveals how her unconventional path has equipped her to nurture startups outside the Valley, emphasizing why grit, adaptability, and gratitude are vital for entrepreneurs. Her uniq...

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What if identifying ONE key constraint could unlock massive efficiency in your business? In this episode, Dave McFarland takes us through his unexpected journey from biologist to expert in the Theory of Constraints (TOC). With years of experience consulting across 150 factory floors, Dave shares how TOC transforms business by eliminating bottlenecks and boosting productivity. His insights offer practical advice for anyone looking t...

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How can families effectively navigate the complex dynamics of running a business together while fostering innovation and maintaining harmony? It's not easy, but it is worth it. Today's guest is Jeff Savlov, the founder of Blum & Savlov, a consulting firm specializing in family business dynamics and wealth management. Jeff’s extensive experience—spanning over 30 years—provides him with a unique vantage point from which he offers...

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How can mastering operations drive significant growth in your organization? In this episode Mordy Hackel sits down with Naima Jinnah, a dynamic leader in the technology and investment sectors, to uncover the secrets behind her operational success. From her early experiences in the legal industry to leading roles in tech startups, Naima shares invaluable insights on creating effective processes, fostering a culture of intelligent fa...

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How can we leverage innovation to transform the energy sector? Today Mordy Hackel is joined by Catherine Flax, a founding member and President of Private Markets at X Machina Capital Strategies (XMC). Catherine also serves on several prestigious boards, including Zefiro Methane Corporation, Gradient Geothermal, Abaxx Technologies, ISO New England, Base CarbonBase, and Amperon. Today Catherine shares her journey from banking to lead...

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How do you decode the secrets of future-proof leadership in today's rapidly evolving tech landscape? In this episode Mordy Hackel sits down with Kevin Goldstein, a former Wall Street executive turned fintech and blockchain entrepreneur, to uncover the answer. Kevin shares his eclectic career journey, emphasizing the importance of embracing the journey, combining IQ with EQ, and the relentless nature of hard work. He provides insigh...
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Are you ready to unlock the secret to scaling your business sustainably? Join Mordy Hackel as he explores transformative strategies with Roy Peter, a seasoned EOS implementer, and Larry Garcia, the innovative co-founder of Strety. In this episode we explore how EOS and Strety's advanced business tools can align your team, streamline processes, and create a resilient, thriving work culture. Tune in to discover practical insights and...
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Today we explore the transformative power of financial leadership with Nelson Tepfer, the co-founder of Pro CFO Partners. Nelson’s unique journey from a full-time CFO to a pioneer in the fractional CFO space offers invaluable insights into optimizing financial performance and achieving sustainable business success. Discover how the fractional CFO model can provide strategic financial guidance without the full-time cost, and learn t...
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Imagine a world where innovation isn’t just a buzzword but a driving force that shapes industries, transforms lives, and redefines the future. In this episode Mordy Hackel explores the dynamic world of business innovation with two extraordinary guests: JD Morris, a seasoned private equity professional and strategic consultant, and Steven Etienne, a versatile entrepreneur with a rich background in finance, real estate, and emerging ...
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In this episode of "Ventures & Visionaries," Mordy Hackel is joined by David Acharya, Managing Partner of Acharya Capital Partners (ACP), to explore the intricacies of private equity, building resilient organizations, and leveraging AI in business. With over 25 years of investing and transacting experience, David brings a wealth of knowledge on private equity, capital markets, and portfolio value creation. We delve into his jou...
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Dive into the future of technology and human behavior in this episode of "Ventures and Visionaries" with host Mordy Hackel and special guest Dr. Maria Blekher, an expert in behavioral science and early-stage investing. Discover how our irrational decisions shape markets, the transformative role of AI in business and mental health, and why embracing our humanity is key to leveraging technology for good. With captivating insights on ...
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Steve Carlson and Irwin Boris join Mordy Hackel to explore the importance of continuous learning, curiosity, and a growth mindset in personal and professional growth. It emphasizes the need for leaders to balance vision and execution, understand the perspectives of others, and build trust within their teams. The role of financial literacy and real-life experiences in shaping one's mindset and decision-making is also discussed. The ...
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In this episode of the Ventures and Visionaries podcast, Mordy Hackel is joined by Greg Schoenberg, the managing partner of Westcott Incorporated. They discuss various topics including the parallels between Western medicine and crypto, the future of crypto going mainstream, and the importance of self-awareness and self-responsibility in leadership. Greg shares his background in politics, investment banking, and media, and how it ha...
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In this conversation, Lauren Colana joins Mordy Hackel to discuss the ideas of vision and leadership for new and growing companies, particularly in the financial services industry. She shares her journey from being a data visualization specialist to starting her own firm focused on alternative asset management. Lauren emphasizes the importance of taking risks, learning from failures, and embracing the journey of entrepreneurship. S...
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