At Depth with Ben Rodgers and Guests

About At Depth with Ben Rodgers and Guests

AT DEPTH is a podcast about intentional entrepreneurship and meaningful investing. Hosted by Ben Rodgers, each episode dives beneath the surface with founders, creative builders, and investors to uncover how values shape business decisions, capital allocation, and personal growth. Discover the throughlines between purpose, profit, and building what matters. Listen for conversations that go beyond strategy — exploring why we build something, as well as how it gets built.

Publisher

Pivotol

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Jan 2026

Latest episode

29 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Oct 2026

   Designing Better Experiences: The Human Side of Business with Jim Mikula

   What if the experience you create for people matters just as much as the product or service you deliver? In this episode of At Depth, Ben Rodgers sits down with Jim Mikula, President and CEO of the Fredericksburg, Texas Chamber of Commerce and a longtime hospitality leader with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, to explore what it really means to design an exceptional experience. From luxury hospitality to financial services, manufacturing, and small business, Jim makes the case that every business is in the experience business. The difference between a forgettable transaction and a meaningful relationship often comes down to awareness: seeing the person behind the purchase, understanding what matters to them, and paying attention to the expectations they may never articulate. Together, Ben and Jim explore how leaders can build cultures where hospitality becomes second nature, empower frontline employees to drive innovation, and move beyond task-oriented thinking toward genuine human connection. Jim also shares his framework for designing experiences across four stages: discover, book, deliver, and complete—and explains why the most important lessons often come from the moments when things go wrong. Because exceptional experiences don't happen by accident. They are built through intentional leadership, thoughtful systems, and a willingness to learn from the people we serve. In this conversation: Why every business, regardless of industry, is in the experience business The difference between being task-oriented and relationship-oriented How self-awareness and humility shape better leadership Why frontline employees are often the source of the best service innovations How to uncover the expectations customers don't know how to articulate The four stages of designing a better customer experience Why creating a great experience starts with your employees How to balance operational discipline with meaningful human connection At its core, this conversation is a reminder that business is never just about the transaction. It's about the people on the other side of it—and the experience they carry with them long after the transaction is over. Welcome to At Depth, where we explore the three lines that connect what we value to how we lead, build, and invest.

2. 

   15 Oct 2026

   Michele Camp on Wealth, Trust, and the Power of Personal Relationships

   What does it mean to build wealth without losing sight of what matters most? On this episode of At Depth, Ben Rodgers sits down with Michele Camp, founding partner of Beacon Advisors, to explore the connections between money, trust, relationships, and the values that shape how we live and lead. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience across trading, private banking, and wealth management, Michele shares why financial planning is about far more than portfolios and returns. It's about understanding people, building relationships rooted in genuine care, and helping families make thoughtful decisions about their wealth, their legacy, and their future. Together, Ben and Michele explore why actions—not words—build trust, how wealth can complicate relationships, why families need a plan before a crisis forces the conversation, and what it looks like to put people ahead of products. Michele also reflects on an unexpected lesson from slowing down: sometimes, rest creates the space we need to see things more clearly. At its heart, this conversation is about what happens when we bring humanity back into finance—and why the best advice starts with knowing the person behind the money. In this episode: Why trust is built through action, care, and genuine relationships How wealth can change relationships and complicate the meaning of friendship Why estate planning and family communication matter long before a crisis The difference between selling financial products and providing truly independent advice How Michele is building Beacon Advisors around flexibility, personal service, and family values What slowing down can teach us about control, ambition, and rest At Depth explores the through lines connecting what we value to how we lead, build, and invest. This conversation is a reminder that financial decisions are never just about money—they're about people, priorities, and the lives we're trying to build.

3. 

   1 Oct 2026

   The Venture Mindset: Betting on What’s Next with Winter Mead

   What does it take to invest in businesses that don’t exist yet? In this episode of At Depth, Ben Rodgers sits down with Winter Mead, founder and CEO of Cool Water Capital, to explore the mindset behind venture capital—and what separates a thoughtful investment from a gamble. Winter shares lessons shaped by growing up on a farm, where he learned early about patience, preparation, seasons, risk, and the reality that you can do everything right and still lose. Those lessons now inform how he thinks about venture: planting seeds, nurturing the right opportunities, taking calculated swings, and staying diversified enough to withstand the ones that don’t work. The conversation digs into what makes a business truly “venture scale,” how investors evaluate ideas that could become enormous, the difference between invention, innovation, and investment, and why venture requires both a willingness to take risk and the discipline to manage it. Winter also explains how Cool Water Capital approaches emerging managers, why access and relationships matter, and how consistency across cycles can create an advantage in an asset class built around uncertainty. A conversation about ambition, patience, probability, and the work of investing in what comes next.

4. 

   17 Sept 2026

   The Human Side of Investing: Relationships, Judgment & Knowing What You Can Control

   What makes someone good at investing? Is it the ability to process more information, build a better model, or make the perfect decision? For Colin Kampfe, Principal and Portfolio Manager at Brown Advisory, the answer is much more human. In this episode of At Depth, Ben Rodgers and Colin explore the parts of investing that don’t fit neatly into a spreadsheet: building relationships that last, staying intellectually curious, knowing what you can and can’t control, and learning to separate good decisions from lucky outcomes. They also get into the growing role of AI in finance—and why technology may be able to execute, analyze, and augment our work without ever fully replacing the human judgment required to build trust. At the center of the conversation is a simple question: When things go well—or when they go badly—who do you want in the room with you? This is a conversation about investing, but it’s really about something bigger: how we think, how we relate to people, and how we choose to spend our time. Listen in, and find your depth.

5. 

   3 Sept 2026

   Building a Private Markets Platform That Lasts

   What does it take to build an investment firm that can weather multiple market cycles, back great entrepreneurs, and still stay true to its original philosophy? In this episode of At Depth, Ben Rodgers sits down with John Chadwick, Founder and Managing Partner of Claritas Capital, for a wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, investing, firm-building, and the power of partnership. John shares the story behind Claritas—from moving into venture capital in Nashville to building a multi-strategy private markets platform spanning venture, growth equity, and real estate. He explains why Claritas focuses on risk-adjusted returns, why they prefer active partnerships over simply writing checks, and how they evaluate the people behind an investment. The conversation also digs into what makes a great team, how Claritas gives talented investors room to build within a broader platform, and why John believes optimism, trust, and genuine partnership are central to how the firm operates. For John, the long game is simple: keep working with exceptional entrepreneurs and development partners, build a platform that creates access to private-market opportunities, and scale without losing the flexibility and focus that made Claritas successful in the first place.

6. 

   20 Aug 2026

   Building Businesses That Last: Stephen Lowry on People, Growth & Smart Investing

   What does it look like to build a business—and an investment strategy—designed to weather the storm? In this episode of At Depth, Ben Rodgers sits down with Stephen Lowry, founder of Redbeard Capital, to unpack the lessons behind a career in entrepreneurship, family offices, alternative investments, and building alongside the right people. From selling cassette tapes in grade school to running a gopher-killing business and eventually investing in businesses and real estate, Stephen shares how starting small, proving a concept, and creating real value shaped his approach. The conversation goes deeper into Stephen's philosophy on growth, partnership, profit, and risk. Why does he believe businesses are either growing or dying? Why does Redbeard prioritize all-cash investments and start with the worst-case scenario? And how do you balance financial performance with building a business where people can actually thrive? It's a candid conversation about entrepreneurship, investing, relationships, and the long game—and why sometimes the smartest move is to slow down, de-risk, and give yourself room to win.

7. 

   6 Aug 2026

   Success Isn't Fulfillment with Greg Taylor | Leadership, Purpose & the Power of Self-Awareness

   What if the biggest obstacle to your leadership isn't your strategy—it's the story you're telling yourself? Executive coach Greg Taylor has spent decades helping leaders, entrepreneurs, and high-performing teams operate closer to their potential. In this conversation with Ben Rodgers, he shares the hard-earned lessons that transformed him from a leader driven by proving himself into one committed to serving others. Together, they explore why success and fulfillment aren't the same thing, how self-awareness changes the way we lead, and why the best coaches don't hand out answers—they help people discover their own. Greg opens up about business failure, identity, family, and the moments that reshaped how he approaches leadership, relationships, and purpose. This episode is a conversation about becoming the kind of leader people want to follow: someone who listens before speaking, builds trust before demanding results, and understands that lasting growth starts from the inside out. As Greg puts it, fulfillment comes when what's been placed inside you finds its way into the world. In this episode: Why success without purpose eventually feels empty The difference between coaching, mentoring, and fixing people How self-awareness unlocks better leadership Building trust through questions instead of answers The "one domino" philosophy for creating lasting change If you're building a business, leading a team, or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, this conversation offers practical wisdom for the journey.

8. 

   23 Jul 2026

   Financial Planning Is Really About Life | Jenn Lane on Truth, Goals & the Space to Think

   Financial planning isn't really about spreadsheets. It's about creating the space to ask a deeper question: How do you want to live your life? In this episode of At Depth, Ben sits down with Jenn Lane, founder of Compass Planning and one of the early pioneers of fee-only financial planning. Jenn's path—from flight instructor to financial planner—reveals a simple but powerful philosophy: the best financial advice starts by understanding the person, not the portfolio. Together, they explore why most people don't actually need better financial products—they need time to think, honest conversations with the people they love, and someone who can hold the bigger picture when life gets noisy. Along the way, they discuss: Why our biggest financial challenge isn't investing—it's talking about money. How financial planning creates space for couples to discover what they really want. The surprising freedom that comes from simply knowing where your money goes. Why truth—not sales—is the foundation of good advice. What it feels like to walk alongside clients through decades of life's biggest milestones. This is a conversation about money, but even more, it's a conversation about clarity, trust, and building a life that aligns with what matters most. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by financial advice—or wondered whether your money is actually serving the life you want—this episode is for you.

9. 

   9 Jul 2026

   Performance Begins Before the Sale | Paige Good on Mindset, Relationships & Sustainable Success

   What separates high performers from everyone else? According to Paige Good, it isn't a better script, more leads, or another productivity hack. As Learning Advisor for Sotheby's International Realty, Paige has spent nearly three decades helping agents build businesses that last. In this conversation, she and Ben explore why sustainable performance starts long before the transaction—with mindset, intentional habits, authentic relationships, and the courage to build a framework instead of simply staying busy. They discuss: Why relationship-building still outperforms transaction-chasing The hidden cost of operating without a personal framework How fear, imposter syndrome, and negativity quietly limit growth The discipline of protecting your time while serving clients well Why integrity, kindness, and authentic connection remain enduring competitive advantages Whether you work in real estate, investing, sales, or any business built on trust, this episode offers a practical conversation about what it takes to perform consistently without losing the human side of your work. At Depth explores the ideas, values, and relationships that shape how leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors build businesses—and lives—that endure.

10. 

    25 Jun 2026

    Intimate Relationships at Scale: Attention, Entrepreneurship, and the 1% Version of You | Alex Felman

    What if the most valuable asset you own isn't your money—it's your attention? In this episode of At Depth, Ben Rogers sits down with entrepreneur, investor, educator, and family office advisor Alex Felman to explore the intersection of relationships, business, personal growth, and human connection. Together, they unpack the challenge of maintaining meaningful relationships in a world built for scale, diving into concepts like Dunbar's Number, parasocial relationships, and how podcasts can strengthen connections across distance and time. They also examine the modern attention economy, why intentionality matters more than ever, and how investing your attention in the people closest to you may be one of the highest-return decisions you can make. The conversation then shifts to entrepreneurship—not as a path to unicorn valuations, but as a vehicle for creativity, freedom, experimentation, and personal agency. Alex shares his framework for becoming the "1% version of yourself" by combining unique skills, embracing iteration, and focusing on the intersection of your strengths rather than chasing perfection in a single domain. Whether you're building a business, cultivating deeper friendships, or searching for greater clarity in your work and life, this episode offers practical wisdom and thought-provoking ideas that challenge conventional definitions of success. In this episode: Why meaningful relationships don't have to disappear at scale Dunbar's Number and the limits of human connection The hidden cost of the attention economy How podcasts create and maintain relationships Entrepreneurship as a sandbox for creativity and growth The power of skill stacking and becoming the "1% version" of yourself Why focus—not talent—is often the greatest challenge A conversation about connection, contribution, and building a life that aligns with what matters most.

11. 

    11 Jun 2026

    Nadav Eylath: Seeing What's Possible | Venture Capital, Surfing, Focus & Building Through Uncertainty

    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 recognition The founder trait most correlated with long-term success Why focus is becoming more valuable, not less The hidden advantages of working together in person Lessons from investing in companies that became category leaders How investors and founders can think differently about opportunity This is a conversation about vision, execution, and the courage to pursue possibilities before the rest of the world believes they're real.

12. 

    28 May 2026

    Why Depth Matters in Business, Leadership, and Relationships | Ben Rodgers & Danny Burbeck

    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 empty how failure reveals character faster than success the hidden cost of “professionalism” why listening is one of the most undervalued leadership skills how great leaders create teams people actually want to belong to why curiosity sits at the center of meaningful relationships This 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.

13. 

    20 May 2026

    Stewardship, Simplicity, and the Life You’re Actually Building | Ray Rodgers

    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 stewardship How small, steady decisions compound over time The hidden cost of complexity and the pull of the crowd What it looks like to build wealth and a meaningful life This isn’t a conversation about chasing returns. It’s about building something that lasts— and knowing why you’re building it in the first place. the@depthpodcast.com

14. 

    14 May 2026

    Nature, Systems Thinking, and the Signals We Ignore | Natalya Wallin

    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 investing Building Vitality Venture Fund Intuition, somatic awareness, and decision-making Why in-person relationships still matter Founder conviction and recognizing authentic vision Endurance training as preparation for life The hidden cost of clarity, ambition, and misalignment This isn’t just a conversation about investing. It’s about learning how to pay attention.

15. 

    2 Apr 2026

    Morgan Keim on Quiet Wealth, Discernment, and Building a Life You Actually Want

    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.

16. 

    17 Mar 2026

    Carin Charon: Investing in People, Balancing Life, and Building Impact

    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

17. 

    5 Feb 2026

    How a set of core values can build a business model with Matthew Montgomery of Maevlo Company

    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.

18. 

    22 Jan 2026

    At Depth with Ben Rodgers and Marc Bathgate on the Value of Alternative Investments, Humility, and Failing Forward

    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.

19. 

    8 Jan 2026

    At Depth with Ben Rodgers & Steven Hatcher: Building Trust in the Oil and Gas Industry

    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.

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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

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