S7E10 (episode #70): Jason Mendelson on applying VC skills to Criminal Justice Reform
In this episode, Jeffrey sits down with Jason Mendelson, a recovering Venture Capitalist, attorney, CJR advocate, musician, producer, and all-around badass changemaker and entrepreneur. They discuss his upbringing, the injury that led him away from music for a time, becoming a venture capitalist, and more. He’s written and recorded his own album, played in various bands, and produced for stars like Aloe Blacc, Payge Turner, and many more and also founded CJR organization Breakthrough.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zrppDxI_5T0
Learn more:
Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker
Producer: Kait Grey
Editor: Nick Case
Recording date: 7/24/23
Breakthrough:
https://timetobreakthrough.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/timetobreakthrough/
Books:
Venture Deals – https://a.co/d/38pCzmM
How to Be a Lawyer – https://a.co/d/cCAQ2TQ
Jace Allen music:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6PbQjHVCUrghNLctvGturu
https://jaceallen.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@jaceallen
https://www.instagram.com/jaceallen_music/
https://www.facebook.com/jaceallenmusic
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jace-allen/1365882791
https://soundcloud.com/user-949081121
Gen3 Music:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1TPAYfqlShQs2XeMXHOil3?si=OolkMYJISuy14EUj2k0vJw
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/gen3/1561047640
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClhSEHtaWhSwVG3-MlenEIg
Bio:
Jason:
I am a musician and work in the criminal justice reform ecosystem. I've written a best-selling book (Venture Deals) and will release my second book "How To Be a Lawyer" in Q2 2022.
In my past, I have been a venture capitalist, startup co-founder, adjunct professor and part-time author in Boulder, CO. Previously, I was an attorney at a large tech Law firm and prior to that, a software engineer.
I won't answer LinkedIn requests for anything pertaining to my tech-world background. If you want to chat about something in the criminal justice reform space or musical (and not music tech / startup), I'm all ears!
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0:00 – Intro
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8:59 – Importance of Giving Back
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11:01 – Education
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12:56 – Early Music Career
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15:29 – Injury
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18:31 – Corporate Life
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24:40 – Venture Capital
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26:37 – Venture Deals, How to Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist
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30:47 – Breakthrough
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40:29 – Law Professor
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41:14 – How to Be a Lawyer: The Path from Law School to Success
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44:04 – SRS Aquium
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47:20 – AI
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53:11 – Jace Allen
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55:08 – Good Noise Studios
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1:00:47 – Gen3
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1:02:42 – Art Creating Impact
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1:08:15 – Stand Together Foundation
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1:16:40 – When Work Affected Change
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1:21:20 – Ask Jeff a Question
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1:23:05 – Most Proud of
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1:24:44 – Snap Your Fingers
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1:25:54 – How to Support