S7E10 (episode #70): Jason Mendelson on applying VC skills to Criminal Justice Reform

In this episode, Jeffrey sits down with Jason Mendelson, a recovering Venture Capitalist, attorney, CJR advocate, musician, producer, and all-around badass changemaker and entrepreneur. They discuss his upbringing, the injury that led him away from music for a time, becoming a venture capitalist, and more. He’s written and recorded his own album, played in various bands, and produced for stars like Aloe Blacc, Payge Turner, and many more and also founded CJR organization Breakthrough.  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zrppDxI_5T0 Learn more: Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 7/24/23 Breakthrough: https://timetobreakthrough.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/timetobreakthrough/ Books: Venture Deals - https://a.co/d/38pCzmM How to Be a Lawyer - https://a.co/d/cCAQ2TQ Jace Allen music: https://jaceallen.com https://open.spotify.com/artist/6PbQjHVCUrghNLctvGturu https://jaceallen.bandcamp.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@jaceallen https://www.instagram.com/jaceallen_music/ https://www.facebook.com/jaceallenmusic https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jace-allen/1365882791 https://soundcloud.com/user-949081121 Gen3 Music: https://gen3band.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/1TPAYfqlShQs2XeMXHOil3?si=OolkMYJISuy14EUj2k0vJw https://music.apple.com/us/artist/gen3/1561047640 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClhSEHtaWhSwVG3-MlenEIg Bio: Jason: I am a musician and work in the criminal justice reform ecosystem. I've written a best-selling book (Venture Deals) and will release my second book "How To Be a Lawyer" in Q2 2022. In my past, I have been a venture capitalist, startup co-founder, adjunct professor and part-time author in Boulder, CO. Previously, I was an attorney at a large tech Law firm and prior to that, a software engineer. I won't answer LinkedIn requests for anything pertaining to my tech-world background. If you want to chat about something in the criminal justice reform space or musical (and not music tech / startup), I'm all ears! Jace Allen Music Bio⁠ 0:00 - Intro 8:59 - Importance of Giving Back 11:01 - Education 12:56 - Early Music Career 15:29 - Injury 18:31 - Corporate Life 24:40 - Venture Capital 26:37 - Venture Deals, How to Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist 30:47 - Breakthrough 40:29 - Law Professor 41:14 - How to Be a Lawyer: The Path from Law School to Success 44:04 - SRS Aquium 47:20 - AI 53:11 - Jace Allen 55:08 - Good Noise Studios 1:00:47 - Gen3 1:02:42 - Art Creating Impact 1:08:15 - Stand Together Foundation 1:16:40 - When Work Affected Change 1:21:20 - Ask Jeff a Question 1:23:05 - Most Proud of 1:24:44 - Snap Your Fingers 1:25:54 - How to Support