Time, Fuel, & Money
Time, Fuel, and Money is a conversation for founders, investors, operators, and high-performers who want to understand the deeper forces that shape how we live, build, lead, and make decisions. Hosted by Deborah Moorad, Karim ReFaey, and Vassili Kotlov, the show blends neuroscience, psychology, business, energy, and human behavior—turning complex ideas into practical, emotionally intelligent frameworks.
Each week, we explore what really drives progress: alignment, awareness, relationships, incentives, momentum, and the hidden energy behind ambition. Through stories from biotech, venture capital, government, aviation, engineering, and everyday life, we break down how time, fuel, and money work together—and how they quietly shape careers, companies, and character.
This is not a hustle show. It’s a clarity show.
A place to think deeper, grow wiser, and operate with more intention—without losing your humanity.
New episodes weekly. Join us and rethink the rules.
Time, Fuel, & Money
Talent, Arrogance & the Fear Behind Both
Why the difference between brilliance and burnout is emotional awareness
Episode 16 explores what we call “talent”—and why ego, fear, and environment determine whether it thrives or self-destructs. Using Formula 1 as the metaphor, the trio breaks down cognition, sensory processing, personality, and purpose as the real ingredients of high performance.
They dive into how arrogance is often fear in costume, why “talent inflation” distorts teams, and why the best leaders aren’t the loudest but the most aware. For founders, operators, and investors, this episode recalibrates how to evaluate people—and yourself.
Topics:
- Talent vs. insecurity
- Arrogance as a fear response
- Awareness as a leadership edge
- Team dynamics & talent inflation
- Purpose-driven performance