In this informal, rapid‑fire podcast episode, host Paige asks a venture‑capital‑focused guest a series of off‑script questions that span professional insights and personal tastes. The conversation touches on the guest’s original spark for venture investing, the evolution of creator‑economy revenue streams (TikTok, newsletters, NFTs), and how emerging managers can foster more diverse fund‑manager ecosystems. The guest shares perspectives on curating startup portfolios, the balance between network versus portfolio structure when selecting managers, and best practices for capital calls. Personal preferences surface through favorite YouTubers, a formative hip‑hop album (Reasonable Doubt), a recent impactful fiction book, and memorable summit moments. Time‑management advice emphasizes learning to say “no” and prioritizing high‑value activities. The dialogue also highlights collaborations with Sandana Nano, Behind Genius Ventures, and Jason Calacanis, and explores the guest’s view on manifestation and mindset. The episode concludes with gratitude to the guest and podcast editor Tate Doherty.
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So I'd love to hear about what originally sparked your interest in venture. Yeah, so that's a, that's, that's a great question. If they stitch together revenue streams across TikTokers, creator fund newsletter subscriptions, and NFT sales, they could make it work. So you wrote this in July of 2021. How have you seen this trend expand since then? It's so awesome. Like, I think I mentioned in that piece. Since we both grew up in the same school district in San Diego, I'd love to ask what your favorite field trip experience was when you were younger. Ooh, the Rubin Age Fleet Science Center. That was hands down my favorite. 'Cause I'm curious, what can other emerging managers, entrepreneurs, and limited partners do to create better conversations around allowing like a more diverse next generation of fund managers to flourish in this ecosystem? Thank you. It's a great question. I think I was in New York and I was like, so I was like, doing live TV is so nerve-wracking 'cause you're just like, It's, well, I guess you were in studio, right? For that? I was. Yep. I've been on Bloomberg, I think 3 times now. So I'm curious how you think about like your role as a curator, and that can be like in or out of startups, but I'm curious about that. Yeah. So I think it's a really interesting question because, you know, on your side from the portfolio standpoint, I would love to hear more about some of your maybe favorite updates on the portfolio side and who provides really great context into their business so that you can best support them. Oh wow. That's a really good question. I'm curious, when you are looking at investing in a manager, is your decision based more on their network opportunities versus maybe their portfolio structure? You know, that's a good question. And I think, who are your favorite YouTubers? Favorite 3, go. My favorite 3 YouTubers? Yeah. Okay. I feel like, have there been any cases where you've been really Like surprised or have met someone in person that's recognized you? I have actually, and it's more obviously at the NFT crypto events. I think the common conception is that as a venture capitalist, you have all the money sitting in the bank, which is not true. Not true. So I'd love if you could share some best practices around capital calls in general. Sure. That'd be cool. It's a fun, it's a fun topic I never get asked about. So, so I'm curious what time management strategies as you thought about focus has made the biggest impact on your work? That's a really good question. I think learning how to say no is important and then prioritizing where the most value's gonna come from. Who's the best person that you've ever worked with? I can tell you the first person who came to mind, which is really interesting because— I was gonna say, what hip-hop album has been like most formative for you? Oh, Reasonable Doubt. Because— So I was wondering if you'd be willing to share a bit more about why you and the Sandana Nano team chose to partner with us at Behind Genius Ventures. Of course. You, you have that it factor. You know, you're young, but you definitely have that it factor and total hustle. So I think that that is really cool. I'd love to hear more about a fiction book that impacted you or particularly resonated with you recently. Oh, that's a great question. I just finished a book called— What are some of your most memorable moments from that summit? And then I'll ask you like more broadly about. Working with Jason Calacanis as well. That is a great question. I think I'd be curious to understand, like, from that framework, what do you think are, like, aspects of your unique melody as a firm? Because I feel like a lot of firms have, like, pretty similar rhythms. Like, you know, we all have SEC regulations and things like that. Yeah. That's such a lovely question. Like, we've started before we started recording talking about musical instruments. I'm curious, like, what your experience with manifestation has been. Oh my God. I mean, I, this is like my subject. I really enjoyed this. Please. Thanks so much, Paige. Really appreciate you having me. This was great and really fun. And a very special thank you to podcast editor Tate Doherty for his great work on this episode and compiling some of my favorite questions.
