Business Trip

Matias and Greg interview Justin Mares, co-founder of TrueMed and Kettle & Fire on current US healthcare and how startups have the opportunity to change the system.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How the US system profits from chronic illness
• Fixing the food system, environmental toxins, pharma incentives & more
• Opportunities for founders building in brain and body health.
• Contrarian ideas Justin is investing in toda...

Matias and Greg sit down with Brooks Leitner, the newest venture partner at PsyMed Ventures, to explore the future of brain and mental health investing. Brooks, an MD/PhD with deep experience from Yale and the NIH, shares his insights on how a human-first approach is reshaping neuroscience innovation and venture investing. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Broadening the Thesis: Evolving from a psychedelics-only focus to a comprehens...

Matias and Greg interview Dr. Nir Grossman, one of the world’s leading researchers in neurotechnology. Nir is a lecturer in the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London and a founding fellow of the UK Dementia Research Institute. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• What is temporal interference (TI), a non-invasive stimulation method
• A comparison of TI with deep brain stimulation (DBS)
• How physics plays a crucial role in n...

Greg and Matias interview Dr. James Adams, professor and autism researcher at Arizona State University and President of Gut-Brain-Axis Therapeutics, on groundbreaking research in autism.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The latest advancements in microbiome therapy for autism
• How the gut-brain axis is shaping new therapeutic approaches
• The role of nutritional interventions in supporting individuals with autism
• Environmental factors and ...

Matias interviews Elizabeth Horn, founder of the 2m Foundation, on the current state of autism and what can we do about it.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The rising prevalence of autism and its impact on society
• How 2m Foundation is funding research and solutions
• Environmental and biological factors contributing to autism
• Philanthropy and venture capital through the Autism Impact Fund

Credits:

Created by Greg Kubin and M...

Matias and Greg interview Dana Watt, a Partner at Breakout Ventures, about genetic medicine for brain and mental health.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How genetic therapies work: addressing underlying causes, not just symptoms
• The opportunities and challenges for genetic therapies for brain health
• Exploring effective delivery of genetic payloads
• Commercial viability and insurance considerations

Credits:

Created...

Greg and Matias interview Jay Sanguinetti, founder of Sanmai Technologies, a startup using transcranial focused ultrasound for the treatment of mental health conditions. 

Jay has a background in academia, having worked at the University of Arizona and started the SEMA Lab (Science Enhanced Mindful Awareness).

In this episode, we discuss:

• The science behind transcranial focused ultrasound and its therapeutic potential for mental he...

Greg and Matias interview Tim Marjenin, a regulatory consultant at MCRA with 16 years of experience at the FDA, to discuss the regulatory landscape for neurotechnology devices.

Tim provides insights into the FDA approval process for neurotech devices, drawing from his extensive experience on the FDA's Neurostimulation-Neurology Devices Team. The episode explores the evolving field of neurotechnology and its regulatory challenge...

Greg and Matias interview Gurdane Bhutani, an investor at MBX Ventures, to discuss the impact of environmental toxins on health and the field of exposomics.

Gurdane is an expert in environmental health, with a background in Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences. He provided insights into the pervasive nature of environmental toxins and their implications for public health. This episode also has a guest appearance from Bruce...

Greg and Matias interview Josh Hardman, founder and editor of Psychedelic Alpha, to discuss the recent FDA advisory committee meeting on Lykos Therapeutics’ MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD.

Josh is a leading writer covering the intersection of psychedelics and business. He provided live reporting and analysis of the AdComm meeting.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The FDA advisory committee process and its implications for drug approva...

Software, hardware, and biotechnology are playing an increasingly transformative role in our mental health and wellness. Join us as we discuss what investors look for in these new companies and how they separate what’s real — and what’s near-term — from what’s hype. We’ll explore AI-powered tools for mental health, the new area of “enerceuticals” (energy replacing the “pharma”), psychedelics, and why what’s in your gut is so import...

Matias hosted a panel at The Battery SF with renowned psychedelics experts, Nolan Williams, Allison Feduccia, Matt Baggott.

Nolan is a Stanford professor currently researching ibogaine among other areas in psychiatry and radiology, and he's a founder of TMS company Magnus Medical. Allison is the founder of Psychedelic Support, a platform providing psychedelic education, community and a provider directory. And Matt is ...

Matias interviews Lili Brillstein about how to work collaboratively with healthcare payers (the ones that reimburse for medical expenses).

Lili is a pioneer in the field, having previously led one of the largest bundled payment initiatives at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. She currently is the founder of her own advisory firm, BCollaborative, where she helps startups and providers develop value propositions that resonate ...

Greg and Matias interview Ed Boyden about neuroscience frontiers and its applications to mental health.

Ed is a pioneer in understanding the fundamental mechanisms of the brain. He runs a lab at MIT for Synthetic Neurobiology and is a professor across the departments of neurotechnology, biological engineering, and cognitive science at MIT’s McGovern Institute for Brain Research. His inventions include optogenetic tools and...

Greg and Matias interview Steve Rio about 5-MeO-DMT and its potential role in mental healthcare. 

Steve is a social impact cofounder, transformational coach, and practitioner at the Enfold Institute, one of the most reputable aboveground retreat centers working with 5-MeO-DMT. He shared many insights from his hands-on experience guiding hundreds of people through the medicine.

In this episode, we discuss…

• 5-MeO...

Tom Insel is an entrepreneur and former director of the US National Institute of Mental Health, the lead US agency supporting mental health research with a $2 billion budget. Since his time at the NIMH, Tom has built mental health technology, first at Verily and Mindstrong Health, and more recently founded Vanna Health, an online healthcare provider for serious mental illness.

In his book "Healing", he talks about the impo...

What if your next antidepressant was a clam or spinach?

Greg & Matias invite Dr. Drew Ramsey to explore nutritional psychiatry - a field exploring how the food we eat can be as powerful as medication in treating mental illnesses like depression and anxiety.

Dr. Drew Ramsey is a psychiatrist, entrepreneur and author focusing on nutritional interventions for mental wellbeing. Drew shares scientific research to make a business case ...

• The powerful personal story behind Jan's passion f...

Advancements in neuroscience, AI, and bioengineering are unlocking new possibilities for neurotechnologies. Investors are paying attention.

Alex Morgan of Khosla Ventures is an MD, PhD, physicist, and one of the most active investors in neurotech startups. He's backed companies harnessing neuromodulation for varied applications - from sleep (Somnee) to depression (Flow) to motor recovery (Syncron). 

In this episode, Alex shares ...