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
Seasons of Change: When Startups Become Empires
Ego, timing, and the real drivers of acquisition as a new deal cycle begins
Episode 30 of Time, Fuel, and Money lands at a familiar inflection point: year-end dealmaking, shifting power, and a market quietly preparing for what comes next.
In this episode, Deborah and Karim explore what happens when startups grow into empires and how ego, timing, and leadership archetypes often determine who survives the transition. Using Netflix’s evolution and the Blockbuster miss as a lens, they unpack why scale is rarely about technology alone and why market access, distribution, and trust drive acquisition outcomes more than founders expect.
The conversation expands into biotech and diagnostics, examining recent multibillion-dollar deals and why acquirers are often buying customers and channels, not just innovation.
As the industry heads into JPM week, the episode sets the stage for an upcoming BLPN interview series, where founders, operators, and investors will be tested on how they think about competition, positioning, and long-term fit in consolidating markets.
This episode is about reading the season correctly and preparing for the year ahead.