Episode 152: Nick Cooney & his book, What We Don't Do: Inaction in the Face of Suffering and the Drive to Do More
ABOUT NICK
Nick is the founder and managing partner of venture capital firm Lever VC and the founder and board chair of Lever Foundation, a non-profit focused on advancing a humane and sustainable food system. He is the author of several previous books on effective charity and philanthropy work, including, How to Be Great at Doing Good: Why Results Are What Count and How Smart Charity Can Change the World, and Change of Heart: What Psychology Can Teach Us About Spreading Social Change. His latest book is What We Don't Do: Inaction in the Face of Suffering and the Drive to Do More. Nick advises on effective giving and previously founded and co-founded the non-profits The Humane League and the Good Food Institute. A graduate of Hofstra University, he lives in the greater New York City region.
CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS
• Venture capitalism in the sustainability space.
• Splitting between volunteer time, personal time, and passion time.
• Religion as a psychological foundation.
• The role of punk rock music in Nick's story.
• The power of inter-family debates.
• Being Obsessive Light.
• Reducing as much suffering in the world as possible.
• The importance of what we do and don't do with our money
• The three main resources we have: money, time, mental energy.
• Fighting our instinctual reactions.
The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Nick is, What steps or actions are you taking reduce the suffering around you, or at least improve the state of the world around you?
FIND NICK
LinkedIn – Full Podcast Article:
CHAPTERS
00:00 - The Book Leads Podcast – Nick Cooney
00:36 - Introduction & Bio
01:36 - Who are you today? Can you provide more information about your work?
03:47 - How did your path into your career look like, and what did it look like up until now?
9:18 - The power and skill of debating.
15:30 - How does the work you're doing today reconcile to who you were as a child?
18:30 - What do you consider your super power?
20:29 - What does leadership mean to you?
23:28 - An introduction and walkthrough of Nick's books.
27:03 - The mindset when launching a non-profit.
28:59 - Can you introduce us to the book we’re discussing?
32:22 - Can you provide a general overview of the book?
36:24 - The power and value of one's time (in changing the world).
38:43 - General thoughts on the state of the world today.
46:51 - What book has inspired you?
50:39 - The role of religion in Nick's life, business, and work.
54:06 - What are you up to these days? (A way for guests to share and market their projects and work.)
55:02 - What’s next for your writing?
This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations.
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