At Depth with Ben Rodgers and Guests

What separates founders who build extraordinary companies from those who don't?In this episode of At Depth, Ben Rodgers sits down with venture investor and entrepreneur Nadav Eylath to explore the mindset behind identifying opportunity before it's obvious. Drawing on decades of experience as a founder, operator, and investor across Silicon Valley and Israel, Nadav shares what he's learned about recognizing exceptional people, navigating uncertainty, and creating the conditions for outsized outcomes.Their conversation moves from surfing in Tel Aviv and California to venture capital, startup culture, and the surprisingly human skills that drive long-term success. Nadav explains why great founders learn and adapt faster than everyone else, why focus remains a competitive advantage in an age of distraction, and why some of the most important breakthroughs happen in the unplanned moments between meetings.Along the way, they discuss failure, delegation, building trust, the unique culture of Israeli entrepreneurship, and the importance of staying open to possibilities others can't yet see.In this episode:Why venture capital is really about "seeing what's possible"What surfing taught Nadav about risk, patience, and pattern recognitionThe founder trait most correlated with long-term successWhy focus is becoming more valuable, not lessThe hidden advantages of working together in personLessons from investing in companies that became category leadersHow investors and founders can think differently about opportunityThis is a conversation about vision, execution, and the courage to pursue possibilities before the rest of the world believes they're real.

What actually makes someone trustworthy in business?In this episode of At Depth, Ben Rodgers and Danny Burbeck explore the tension between professionalism and authenticity — and why the people we trust most are often the ones willing to admit failure, share disappointment, and stay human in the middle of pressure.The conversation moves through investing, leadership, entrepreneurship, listening, and the quiet loneliness that often comes with responsibility. Ben and Danny unpack why depth feels so rare in modern work culture, why most conversations stay on the surface, and what changes when leaders genuinely give their attention to the people around them.They discuss:why success without people to share it with feels emptyhow failure reveals character faster than successthe hidden cost of “professionalism”why listening is one of the most undervalued leadership skillshow great leaders create teams people actually want to belong towhy curiosity sits at the center of meaningful relationshipsThis is a conversation about more than business. It’s about what happens when people stop performing and start showing up honestly — for their teams, their partners, and themselves.If you’ve ever felt exhausted by surface-level networking, scripted conversations, or transactional leadership, this episode will feel like fresh air.

What does it actually mean to build a life—not just a portfolio?In this conversation, Ben sits down with his dad, Ray Rodgers—investor, operator, and founding member of CovePilot—to explore the ideas that have quietly shaped decades of investing, decision-making, and life in a small Texas town.From early days structuring real estate deals across the country… to building a life rooted in simplicity, stewardship, and long-term thinking… this is a conversation about the tension between sophistication and simplicity—and why the two aren’t opposed.They unpack the philosophy behind CovePilot: investing in real assets, keeping things intentionally small, and operating away from the noise— not as a strategy for optimization, but as a way to stay grounded in what actually matters.Along the way, they explore:Why “simplicity is the highest form of sophistication”The difference between ownership and stewardshipHow small, steady decisions compound over timeThe hidden cost of complexity and the pull of the crowdWhat it looks like to build wealth and a meaningful lifeThis isn’t a conversation about chasing returns.It’s about building something that lasts— and knowing why you’re building it in the first [email protected]

What if the most important signals in life — and business — aren’t found on spreadsheets, dashboards, or market reports… but in the body, in nature, and in the patterns we’ve stopped paying attention to?In this episode of At Depth, Ben Rodgers sits down with Natalya Wallin — founder of Vitality Venture Fund, systems thinker, ultra-runner, and former global fund builder — for a conversation about intuition, resilience, biomimicry, and the hidden architecture behind meaningful work.Natalya shares the story of a single sentence from a mentor that completely changed the trajectory of her life, taking her from molecular genetics into global policy, venture investing, and building solutions inspired by nature itself. Together, Ben and Natalya explore what it means to think in systems, how great teams function like orchestras, why ambiguity is necessary for innovation, and how our bodies often recognize truth before our minds can explain it.This conversation moves from the bottom of the Grand Canyon to the future of regenerative investing — touching on entrepreneurship, leadership, intuition, founder psychology, human connection, and the cost of ignoring the signals trying to guide us.Topics include:Systems thinking and “mutant generalists”Biomimicry and nature-inspired investingBuilding Vitality Venture FundIntuition, somatic awareness, and decision-makingWhy in-person relationships still matterFounder conviction and recognizing authentic visionEndurance training as preparation for lifeThe hidden cost of clarity, ambition, and misalignmentThis isn’t just a conversation about investing. It’s about learning how to pay attention.

What happens when success on paper no longer matches the life you want to live? In this conversation, Morgan Keim shares his shift from venture-backed scale to a more intentional path—what he calls “quiet wealth.” We explore discernment, identity, family, investing with conviction, and how to align your work, capital, and life without losing yourself along the way.

In this episode of At Depth Podcast, Ben Rodgers sits down with Carin Charon—a lawyer, CPA, CFO of Indy, and operator of Total Shield—to explore the intersection of business, leadership, and life. Carin shares her journey from law school to public accounting, fractional CFO work, and running a company that manufactures blast-proof containment solutions. Along the way, she reveals how combining analytical rigor with empathy and intentionality creates high-performing teams and lasting impact.Carin dives deep into her philosophy of leadership and personal growth: hiring for attitude, nurturing strengths, and consistently pushing people just outside their comfort zones. From investing in emerging managers to raising kids with intention, she emphasizes the power of kindness, balance, and helping others. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or curious about how to integrate people-first thinking into high-stakes environments, this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom and inspiring stories.Episode can be found at theatdepthpodcast.com

In this episode of AT DEPTH, Ben Rodgers sits down with Matthew Montgomery, founder of Maevlo, to explore the deeply personal and entrepreneurial journey behind building a values-driven energy investment firm.Matthew shares how a “basement napkin idea” grew into four successful funds and nearly $30M in AUM — but he also opens up about the early days of isolation, the spark of entrepreneurship, and the small, disciplined habits that shaped his career.He walks through the world of oil and gas mineral rights, non-op working interests, and why royalties remain one of the most compelling ways for accredited investors to gain exposure to energy. Then the conversation shifts into the philosophical: what “sound money” means, why he believes Bitcoin belongs on the balance sheet, and how inflation, debasement, and family-life investing influence Maevlo’s long-term strategy.Throughout the episode, Matthew returns to his core purpose — reflecting authenticity — and shares why transparent communication, shared wins and losses, and emotional stewardship of investor capital are central to how Maevlo operates.This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, conviction, scarcity, capital allocation, personal identity, and the intersection of value and investment. A must-listen for accredited investors, founders, and anyone building with intention.

This episode of the At Depth podcast, hosted by Ben Rogers, features Marc Bathgate of 72 Partners and Distilled Alternatives. Marc, an alternative investments veteran with 17 years in the field, founded Distilled Alternatives and co-founded 72 Partners, which now has $3 billion in assets under advisement.Together they dive into the ideas of what makes alternative investments worthwhile.Marc, who considers himself a "Renaissance man," enjoys the novelty in investment strategies, along with the products that result from great effort.Here are the Main Takeaways:The Significance of Alternative Investments: These investments are crucial for capital preservation during volatile market conditions, providing diversification beyond traditional assets (e.g., funds focused on electricity trading). Given that most rapidly expanding companies are now private, a long-term commitment to these investments is required to realize substantial returns. Furthermore, they can offer tax advantages.The Investment Approach: Acknowledging that much of investment decision-making is rooted in emotion, often followed by data-driven justification, the role of an advisor is to address the emotional aspects, present objective facts, and establish prudent risk parameters.The Art of Communication: Exceptional investors are skilled communicators who can simplify complex concepts. Since clients often have limited time, it is vital to condense all information into a cohesive narrative that provides them with a clear outlook on potential outcomes, both favorable and unfavorable.Resilience and Recovery: Marc's guiding principle is "failing forward," attributing his recoveries to persistence. Effective recovery from failure demands humility, accountability for errors, and maintaining a positive stance toward resolution. He operates by the Stockdale Paradigm: "Confront the brutal facts of your current reality, yet never lose faith in the ultimate success of the endeavor."Distilled by 72: This serves as 72 Partners' exclusive access platform for their premier fund and co-investment opportunities.Focus on Brain Health: 72 Partners is engaged in a significant initiative centered on brain health, encompassing mental wellness and emerging neuro-technologies. Their objective is to "do good and make money" through both investment and philanthropic activities.For those interested in alternative investments, wealth management, or the brain health initiative, reach out via 72.co.

Join Ben Rodgers on the At Depth podcast as he sits down with Steven Hatcher, an oil and gas industry entrepreneur. They discuss the critical role of trust in the mineral rights industry, its challenges, and Steven's effort to promote fairness for mineral owners through transparency and integrity. Hear about Steven's personal brand journey and the need for education and honesty in mineral rights dealings. It truly is a fascinating and inspiring conversation!Takeaways:There is a need to connect values to business practices.Trust is a significant issue in the mineral rights industry.There is a history of bad actors in oil and gas investments.Steven aims to provide fair value for mineral owners.Transparency and education are key to building trust with clients.Challenges in the industry require problem-solving and resilience.Building a business is about finding the right people and partnerships.Fulfillment comes from doing hard things and working towards a vision.