In this episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen sits down with James Oliver Jr., Techstars alum, entrepreneur, and author of Burn Bright, Not Out.

James shares his journey navigating the pressures of high achievement and the hidden cost of hustle culture. He introduces the Burn Bright Spectrum, a framework to help founders recognize the difference between healthy ambition and burnout, and explains why rest, micro-wins, and alignment are essential to long term success.

The conversation explores founder mental health, breaking stigma in the startup community, and how sustainable performance drives deeper impact than constant grind.

Follow James Oliver Jr. on LinkedIn ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-oliver-jr/

Order Burn Bright, Not Out ➡️ https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Bright-Not-Out-ShatteringThe-ebook/dp/B0GG8FCCQZ

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In this episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen sits down with John Fein, partner at Firebrand Ventures and former Techstars managing director.

John reflects on the winding path of his career, from moments of uncertainty to finding renewed purpose through startups, venture, and community building. He shares how small acts of generosity, like answering a random email or making an introduction, can create lasting impact and open entirely new chapters.

The conversation explores John’s journey through Techstars, the evolution of Firebrand Ventures and The Hill Fund, and his long term commitment to the Kansas City startup ecosystem. Along the way, David and John discuss imposter syndrome, paying generosity forward, and why Give First is less a philosophy and more a practice that compounds over time.

John Fein LinkedIn ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfein/

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In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld talks with David Hornik, founding partner at Lobby Capital.

David shares how a relationship driven approach has shaped his career in venture capital, from investing to community building. He reflects on why generosity compounds over time, how trust creates durable networks, and why long term thinking matters in both business and life.

The conversation also touches on the origins of the Lobby conference, David’s connection to Adam Grant’s Give and Take, and how the Give First mindset shows up in his work with founders, students, and investors.

David Hornik LinkedIn ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhornik/

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