Dan Caruso

Month: June 2025

Podcast

Re-release Colorado Innovators: Bobby Stuckey, Frasca Hospitality Group

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Bobby Stuckey, Master Sommelier and co-founder of Frasca Hospitality Group, to explore what it really means to lead with hospitality—and why that mindset has never mattered more.

Originally recorded before his latest accolade, we’re re-releasing this episode to celebrate a major milestone: Frasca Food and Wine was just named Outstanding Restaurant at the 2025 James Beard Awards. It’s one of the foundation’s top honors, and a fitting recognition for Bobby’s decades-long commitment to excellence.

In this conversation, Bobby shares the story behind building Frasca and its sister restaurants—including Pizzeria Alberico and Tavernetta—and how his time at iconic spots like The French Laundry and The Little Nell shaped his obsession with world-class service. From the influence of Friulian culture to the grit it takes to lead a hospitality team, Bobby pulls back the curtain on what makes Frasca not just special, but enduring.

Dan and Bobby also talk about Scarpetta Wine, the discipline of sommeliers, and what it takes to create experiences that feel effortless but are anything but. At its heart, this episode is about care, community, and why showing up the right way—every day—still matters.

Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/book

To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

Podcast

Colorado Investors: Chris Erickson and Adam Burrows, Range Ventures

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Chris Erickson and Adam Burrows—founders of Range Ventures and two of the most influential early-stage investors shaping Colorado’s tech future.

Chris and Adam reflect on how their years as operators—building companies like ApartmentList and scaling HomeAdvisor—shaped their approach to venture capital. Their conversation paints a picture of Colorado’s startup scene where a “give-first” culture, rich tech talent, and ambitious founder community create fertile ground for innovation.

From personal war stories to macro trends, Chris and Adam reflect on how grit, timing, and real empathy for founders drive their investing philosophy. They also offer a behind-the-scenes look at launching a fund during a time of seismic change—and why building community is core to their long-term bet on Colorado.

Whether you’re a founder, operator, or investor curious about what’s next in venture, this episode offers a rare window into how a new generation of VCs is backing companies—and ecosystems—from the ground up.

Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/book

To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

Podcast

Quantum Revolution: Pranav Gokhale, General Manager of Computing at Infleqtion

In this episode of The Bear Roars Dan sits down with quantum technologist and entrepreneur Pranav Gokhale—co-founder of Super.tech and a key leader at Infleqtion, one of the most ambitious and advanced quantum computing companies in the world.

Pranav shares how an early internship at NIST introduced him to the world of quantum physics, sparking a lifelong passion that led to a PhD, a startup, and eventually an acquisition by Infleqtion. From his unique vantage point inside the industry, Pranav explains how quantum technology is already transforming national defense, finance, biotech, and communications—and how we’re much closer to useful quantum computing than most people think.

Dan and Pranav dive into the software and hardware breakthroughs accelerating the field, explore how quantum sensing and timekeeping are enabling new commercial and military applications today, and discuss the global race for quantum supremacy. Along the way, they unpack the parallels between the evolution of quantum tech and the early days of the internet.

Whether you’re a quantum enthusiast, a curious founder, or just trying to understand what all the hype is about, this episode is an eye-opening look at the most important frontier technology of our time—and the people making it real.

Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/book

To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

Podcast

Molly Bloom, Best-selling Author of Molly’s Game

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Molly Bloom—former world-class skier turned underground poker queen, bestselling author, and the inspiration behind the Oscar-nominated film Molly’s Game.

Molly opens up about growing up in a high-achieving Colorado family, navigating life in the shadow of Olympic athletes and Harvard surgeons, and the personal drive that pushed her through a major spinal surgery and onto the U.S. ski team. When an injury ended her athletic dreams, Molly found herself in Los Angeles, running what would become the most exclusive high-stakes poker games in the world—hosting celebrities, billionaires, and titans of finance.

Dan and Molly dive into how she built the game from scratch, scaled it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise, and maintained her integrity while surrounded by power, money, and pressure. She shares stories of ambition, collapse, reinvention, and what it really means to live by your values—even when everything falls apart.

Whether you know her from the headlines or her Hollywood story, this episode is a fascinating deep dive into her unique story—and the next chapter she’s writing now.

Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/book

To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com