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
Character, Connection & What Investors Actually Feel
Why who you are matters more than your pitch
Episode 19 asks a simple question with enormous implications: Who are you beyond your pitch?
Deb, Karim, and Vassili break down how character, emotional safety, curiosity, and presence shape investor relationships far more than polish. They explore the traps of transactional outreach, the cost of pitch-mode living, and the real signals investors listen for beneath the words.
This episode reshapes how founders show up—and how trust is actually built.
Topics:
- Emotional safety in fundraising
- Curiosity as a trust signal
- Pitch-mode vs. presence
- Relationship-building for founders
- Character as competitive advantage