Shows / Trailblazers by Erica Wenger
Trailblazers by Erica Wenger
Trailblazers is your favorite business podcast, hosted by Erica Wenger, GP at Park Rangers Capital. Each week, Erica sits down with top investors, founders, and business icons who’ve found conventional success in unconventional ways.
From billion-dollar exits to scrappy early pivots, Trailblazers brings you unfiltered stories of how the next generation of firms and companies are really built.
New episodes every Tuesday.
Episodes
Trailblazers by Erica WengerMeka Asonye: How to Think Like the Top 1% of Venture Capitalists l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 59
Meka Asonye is the founder and managing partner of Prist Capital, where he backs early-stage companies building breakthrough technologies in aerospace…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerTyler Denk: The Secret to Building a Billion Dollar Startup l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 58
Tyler Denk is the co-founder and CEO of beehiiv, a platform helping creators, entrepreneurs, and independent publishers build, grow, and monetize their…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerMichael Broukhim: Why AI Is a National Security Issue l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 57
Michael Broukhim is the co-founder of FabFitFun and Deep 33, a venture capital firm focused on AI, robotics, and frontier technologies. He's also an early…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerWhy Silicon Valley Is Bad for Early Stage Investors l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 56
Nichole Wischoff is the founder of Wischoff Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm investing in overlooked industries. She's grown the firm from a $5M…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerSara Foster & Phil Schwarz: Why Celebrity Brands Keep Failing l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 55
In this episode, we sit down with Sara Foster and Phil Schwarz, co-founders of Oversubscribed Ventures, alongside GP Erin Foster. We discuss how celebrity…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerDavid Haber: The Biggest Mistake Founders Make When Hiring l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 54
In this episode, we sit down with David Haber, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz and former founder of Bond Street, to discuss what separates exceptional…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerJeff Clavier: How To Raise Your First Fund l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 53
In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Clavier, founder of Uncork Capital and one of the early pioneers of seed-stage venture capital. Jeff shares what he has…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerBrian Kelly: How I Made $300k Per Month With Affiliate Marketing l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 52
In this episode, we sit down with Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy, to break down the business behind one of the most recognizable brands in travel and…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerNatalie Fratto: The Truth About Going Viral l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 51
In this episode, we sit down with Natalie Fratto, an investor, writer, and new media entrepreneur known for translating complex ideas across technology…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerNirav Tolia: The Lonely Reality Of Being CEO l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 50
In this episode, we sit down with Nirav Tolia, co-founder and CEO of Nextdoor and a longtime Silicon Valley entrepreneur who previously co-founded Epinions…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerJack Raines: How to Avoid Wasting Your 20s l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 49
In this episode, we sit down with Jack Raines, investor at Slow Ventures and author of Young Money, a book about navigating the career, money, and life…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerNadya Okamoto: Why Every Founder Needs to Become A Content Creator l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 48
In this episode, we sit down with Nadya Okamoto, serial entrepreneur and creator who founded PERIOD at 16, went on to build period care brand August, and is…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerMarshall Sandman: What It Takes To Win In Venture Capital | Trailblazers Podcast Episode 47
In this episode, we sit down with Marshall Sandman, founder and Managing Partner of Animal Capital, a seed-stage venture firm whose first fund backed four…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerPolina Pompliano: The Power Of Putting Yourself Out There l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 46
In this episode, we sit down with Polina Pompliano, founder of The Profile and author of Hidden Genius, where she studies the lives, habits, and minds of…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerRebecca Kaden: The Biggest Myth About Great Ideas l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 45
In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca Kaden, General Partner at Union Square Ventures, where she invests in the next generation of AI, software, and…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerJohn Hu: How I Built A $40M Business With 30 Employees l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 44
In this episode, we sit down with John Hu, the co-founder and CEO of Stan, the platform helping creators turn their audience into thriving businesses. We…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerNicole Behnam: Stop Asking Successful People for Advice l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 43
In this episode, we sit down with Nicole Behnam, an entrepreneur, investor, and podcast host known for interviewing some of the world's top founders…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerGeoff Woo: The Ugly Truth About Venture Capital l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 42
In this episode, we sit down with Geoff Woo, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Antifund, an unconventional venture capital firm investing in the next…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerAnn Miura-Ko: Why Great Businesses Still Fail l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 41
In this episode, we sit down with Ann Miura-Ko, Co-Founding Partner of Floodgate and one of Silicon Valley's earliest investors in companies like Lyft, Twitch…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerKate McAndrew Inside The Mind Of A $100M Investor l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 40
In this episode, we sit down with Kate McAndrew, Co-Founder and General Partner of Baukunst, a $100 million pre-seed venture fund investing in the next…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerNas Daily: The Internet Tried To Cancel Me l Trailblazers Episode 39
In this episode, we sit down with Nas Daily, entrepreneur, creator, and founder of one of the world's largest creator brands. After building an audience of…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerJustin Welsh: How I Built A $15M Business Alone l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 38
In this episode, we sit down with Justin Welsh, entrepreneur, writer, and founder of a $15 million one-person business. After helping build two billion-dollar…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerMark Cuban: How To Win When You're Broke l Trailblazers Podcast Episode 37
In this episode, we sit down with Mark Cuban to uncover the principles behind his success in business. From whether entrepreneurs should drop out of school to…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerLeah Solivan: Founder of TaskRabbit and Precedent.vc
This week, we chat with Leah Solivan! Leah is the founder of TaskRabbit, the pioneering on-demand marketplace that helped redefine the future of work and laid…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerMariam Naficy: Founder of Minted and CEO at Arcade
This week, we chat with Mariam Naficy! A serial entrepreneur and visionary leader known for pioneering new ways to connect creativity, technology, and human…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerMarlon Nichols: Co-Founder of MaC Venture Capital
This week, we chat with Marlon Nichols! Marlon is the co-founder and managing general partner of MaC Venture Capital, a leading seed-stage firm backing…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerPaige Hendrix Buckner: CEO at All Raise
This week, we chat with Paige Hendrix Buckner! Paige is the CEO of All Raise, a nonprofit working to accelerate the success of women and non-binary venture…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerRob Schutz: Founder of Snagged
This week, we chat with Rob Schutz! Rob is a serial entrepreneur, operator, and growth expert who’s spent his career building and scaling technology businesses…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerMayssa Chehata: Founder of Behave Candy
This week, we chat with Mayssa Chehata! Mayssa is the founder of BEHAVE Candy, the first low-sugar, clean-label candy designed not to spike blood sugar…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerSatya Patel: Co-Founding Parter of Homebrew and Screendoor
This week we chat with Satya Patel! Satya is the co-founding General Partner of Homebrew, a seed-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco. Through…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerKipp Bodnar: CMO at HubSpot
This week we chat with Kipp Bodnar! Kipp is the Chief Marketing Officer of HubSpot, the #1 CRM platform for scaling companies, where he leads the company’s…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerDelian Asparouhov: Co-Founder of Varda
This week we chat with Delian Asparouhov! Delian is a Partner at Founders Fund and the President and Co-Founder of Varda Space Industries, one of the most…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerSolo Episode: The Bucket Method (7-Step Time Management System)
Welcome back to Trailblazers by Park Rangers Capital! In this week’s solo episode, Erica Wenger breaks down her powerful 7-step time management framework…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerEric Newcomer: Founder of Newcomer
This week we chat with Eric Newcomer! Eric is the founder and writer behind Newcomer, which is a deeply reported newsletter on the inner workings of the…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerJason Feifer: Editor in Chief at Entrepreneur Magazine
This week we chat with Jason Feifer! Jason is the Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine, where he’s spent nearly a decade studying and telling the stories…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerFelix Levine: Partner at Bulletpitch
This week we chat with Felix Levine! Felix is an entrepreneur, investor, and media operator who began his career in podcasting back in 2019—recording…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerTerri Burns: Founder of Type Capital
This week, we chat with Terri Burns! Terri is the founder of Type Capital, an early-stage venture firm focused on being the first check for ambitious founders…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerSolo Episode: 10 Pieces of Advice for Ambitious Twenty-Somethings!
Welcome back to Trailblazers by Park Rangers Capital! In this week’s solo episode, host Erica Wenger breaks down 10 pieces of advice for ambitious twenty…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerShomik Ghosh: Newest Partner at Sierra Ventures!
Shomik is the newest partner at Sierra Ventures! A longtime venture investor and an inception-focused fund backing technical founders at day zero. He supported…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerHaseeb Qureshi: Managing Partner at Dragonfly
This week we chat with Haseeb Qureshi! Haseeb is the Managing Partner at Dragonfly, a multibillion-dollar leading crypto VC firm, and is a longtime…
- Trailblazers by Erica Wenger
Nicolas Cary: Co-Founder and Vice Chairman at Blockchain.com
This week, we chat with Nicolas Cary! Nic is the Co-Founder and Vice Chairman at Blockchain.com! He is responsible for bringing new adopters into the crypto…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerPaige Finn Doherty: Founding Partner at Behind Genius Ventures
This week we chat with Paige Finn Doherty! Paige is the Founding Partner of Behind Genius Ventures, an early-stage venture firm managing nearly $14 million in…
- Trailblazers by Erica Wenger
Claire Hughes Johnson: Corporate Officer and Advisor at Stripe
This week we chat with Claire Hughes Johnson! Claire is the former COO of Stripe, where she played a critical role in scaling the company from 160 employees to…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerSolo Episode: 7 Things I Wish Founders Knew Before Raising Their First Check!
Welcome back to Trailblazers by Park Rangers Capital! In this week’s solo episode, host Erica Wenger breaks down 7 things she wishes every founder knew before…
- Trailblazers by Erica Wenger
Nikhil Basu Trivedi: Co-Founder & General Partner at Footwork
This week, we chat with Nikhil Basu Trivedi! Nikhil is Co-Founder & General Partner at Footwork, an early-stage focused venture firm in San Francisco. Footwork…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerJeffrey Bussgang: GP and Co-Founder of Flybridge Capital Partners
This week, we chat with Jeffrey Bussgang! Jeff has spent his career at the intersection of startup experimentation and transformative technology. For over a…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerSolo Episode: Starting a VC Fund 101
Welcome back to Trailblazers by Park Rangers Capital! In this week’s solo episode, host Erica Wenger dives into Starting a VC Fund 101, breaking down the real…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerAnkur Nagpal: Founder of Carry
Ankur is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and the founder of Carry, a modern platform helping business owners build durable wealth through smarter tax…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerAmber Atherton: Partner at Patron
This week, we chat with Amber Atherton! Amber is a British entrepreneur and investor based in San Francisco. She’s a Partner at Patron, an early-stage venture…
- Trailblazers by Erica Wenger
Des Traynor: Co-Founder of Intercom
This week, we chat with Des Traynor! Des is the Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Intercom, the company behind Fin.ai, and he also sits on Intercom’s…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerAmanda Goetz: Exited Founder and Author of "Toxic Grit"
This week, we chat with Amanda Goetz! Amanda Goetz is a 2x Founder, CEO and 4x CMO. She is an inspirational writer and content creator captivating millions of…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerRex Woodbury: Founder and Managing Partner of Daybreak!
This week, we chat with Rex Woodbury! Rex is the Founder and Managing Partner of Daybreak, an early-stage venture capital firm based in New York. Daybreak is a…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerSolo Episode: Hot Takes on Venture Capital
Welcome back to Trailblazers by Park Rangers Capital! In this week’s solo episode, host Erica Wenger shares her hot takes on venture capital the unspoken takes…
- Trailblazers by Erica Wenger
Avni Barman: Founder of Gen She!
This week, we chat with Avni Barman! Avni is the CEO and Founder of Gen She, a media company and fund empowering a community of over 700,000 women across…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerSolo Episode: Why Every Founder Needs to Write a Manifesto
Welcome back to Trailblazers by Park Rangers Capital! In this week’s solo episode, host Erica Wenger dives into why every founder should have a manifesto a…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerMaya Bakhai: Founder of Spice Capital!
This week, we chat with Maya Bakhai! Maya Bakhai is the founder of Spice Capital, a first-yes fund investing at pre-seed and seed. Maya's Fund II is a $25M…
- Trailblazers by Erica Wenger
Katie Stanton: The Woman Behind Moxxie VC!
This week, we chat with Katie Stanton! Katie is the Founder and General Partner of Moxxie Ventures. Katie is an investor, operator, board member, and proud mom…
- Trailblazers by Erica Wenger
Ali Kriegsman: 8-Figure Exited Founder and Author of "The Raise"
This week, we chat with Ali Kriegsman! Ali is a writer, entrepreneur, and business strategist whose work lives at the intersection of brand building…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerSolo Episode: Trailblazers Official Launch!
Welcome to the very first episode of Trailblazers by Park Rangers Capital! In our very first episode, our host, Erica Wenger sets the stage for what’s ahead…
Trailblazers by Erica WengerSolo Episode: Season 4 Recap
This week, our host Erica Wenger wraps up an incredible Season 4 of Dear Twentysomething! 🎉 Join us as we reflect on some of the most memorable guests and…