At Depth with Ben Rodgers and Guests

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

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.

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.

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

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.