SHOW NOTES:

Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/ywqLDnnvNB0

Jeremy Gardner is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Mystic Ventures, a venture fund focused on psychedelic medicine.

In this episode, Jeremy joins the podcast to share his journey from rebellious youth to impactful investor. He discusses his early work in crypto, passion for psychedelics, views on masculinity, and the importance of empathy in leadership and life. We also explore his filmmaking journey and direct philanthropic work that’s changing lives around the world.

Chapters:

00:00 – Existential Drive & Crypto Disillusionment Jeremy talks about being driven by impact, not money, and shares insights from the crypto industry.

07:25 – Van Life & Love for Colorado Jeremy discusses traveling in a camper van, visiting Colorado, and enjoying nature and freedom.

11:02 – Childhood & Upbringing in Northampton He reflects on growing up in a progressive town and how that shaped his worldview.

18:40 – School Struggles & Formative Japan Experience Jeremy shares about getting arrested, ADHD, and a life-changing stint in Japan as a kid.

26:25 – College Chaos & Rediscovering Purpose Stories of dropping out, psychedelic revelations, and developing a self-designed major at Bard.

34:15 – Political Internship & Occupy Wall Street Roots Jeremy details his work at the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and how Occupy led him to crypto.

42:50 – Founding the Blockchain Education Network How Jeremy launched a global student movement that became foundational in crypto education.

50:00 – Reflections on Crypto’s Evolution He critiques the industry’s trajectory, Wall Street influences, and his return to crypto with a new company.

55:42 – MadeMan Skincare & Positive Masculinity Jeremy shares the vision behind his skincare brand aimed at redefining masculinity.

1:00:05 – Psychedelics, Purpose & Mystic Ventures His lifelong relationship with psychedelics and launching Mystic Ventures to support ethical psychedelic businesses.

1:10:50 – Investing Ethically & Impact Over Profit Jeremy discusses founder alignment, success metrics, and why impact drives his portfolio decisions.

1:18:15 – Filmmaking & Crypto Castle Productions From dream to reality—producing films, lessons from Cannes to Netflix, and staying creatively fulfilled.

1:28:50 – Making Impact Tangible Stories of helping people directly, including funding food aid in Afghanistan and empowering entrepreneurs.

1:36:40 – Global Empathy, Conflict & Perspective Deep dive into Middle East politics, the need for empathy, and perspectives on conflict and identity.

1:45:35 – Legacy, Gratitude & What Matters Most Jeremy reflects on life satisfaction, fulfillment, and what he’s most grateful for if it all ended tomorrow.

Jeremy:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jg1578/

https://www.instagram.com/gonzogardner/

https://x.com/Disruptepreneur

Mystic Ventures:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/mystic-ventures/

https://venture.angellist.com/v/back/mystic-ventures-2

Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker

Producer: Kait Grey

Editor: Nick Case

Recording date: 6/16/25

SHOW NOTES:

Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/D7zlefTWd5g

Bryan Mauk is a passionate social entrepreneur and advocate for criminal justice and drug policy reform. He currently leads End It For Good, championing health-centered approaches to addiction and incarceration, building on decades of grassroots and executive experience in housing, reentry, and digital access.

In this episode, Bryan and Jeffrey discuss social impact, recovery & scaling reform. Bryan also shares his journey from teen volunteer to national nonprofit leader. Learn how his early work with the unhoused inspired a lifelong mission of healing trauma, empowering second chances, and advancing compassionate drug policy with End It For Good.

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro Clip

0:55 - What Motivates You?

2:50 - Early Life

10:23 - College Experience

17:53 - PC's for People

21:33 - End It For Good

26:47 - Making Your Mark

37:21 - Upcoming Initiatives

41:54 - When Work Affected Change

46:54 - Mentor

50:35 - Ask Jeff a Question

52:21 - Most Grateful for

54:11 - Most Proud of

56:35 - Snap Your Fingers

59:47 - How to Support

Bryan:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-mauk-77a04310/

End It For Good:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/enditforgoodms/

https://enditforgood.com/

https://www.instagram.com/enditforgoodms/

https://www.facebook.com/EndItForGoodMS/

Other resources:

The PBS documentary “Her Time” is actually called “Apart” - https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/apart/

Free copy of End It For Good founder Christina Dent’s book, Curious: A Foster Mom's Discovery of an Unexpected Solution to Drugs and Addiction, to the first 5 listeners that email them at curious@enditforgood.com and include the name People are the Answer!

Christina Dent’s been on PatA podcast twice: Episode #’s 4 and 94

Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker

Producer: Kait Grey

Editor: Nick Case

Recording date: 4/24/25

SHOW NOTES:

Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/NO9xrHpgBOc

In Episode 106 of People Are the Answer, Taylor West, Executive Director of the Healing Advocacy Fund, joins Jeffrey Zucker to discuss her path from political advocacy to pioneering work in psychedelic-assisted therapy policy. Taylor opens up about the human side of policymaking, the challenges and revelations of parenting, and her vision for realigning economic incentives to better serve humanity. A powerful conversation on healing, storytelling, and purposeful change.

Chapters:

• 0:00 - Intro Clip

• 1:26 - Introductions

• 2:35 - What Motivates You?

• 6:28 - Where did you grow up?

• 14:42 - Policy Reform

• 19:50 - First Steps Post College

• 29:21 - Political Campaigning

• 35:52 - Legalization of Adult Use Cannabis

• 44:36 - Psychedelics

• 57:19 - Healing Advocacy Fund

• 1:07:16 - Finding Balance

• 1:14:14 - When Work Affected Change

• 1:17:23 - Ask Jeff a Question

• 1:20:59 - Most Grateful for

• 1:29:27 - Snap Your Fingers

• 1:33:41 - How to Support

Taylor:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-west-34736455/

Healing Advocacy Fund:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/healing-advocacy-fund/

https://healingadvocacyfund.org/

Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker

Producer: Kait Grey

Editor: Nick Case
Recording date: 4/9/25

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