NEXT with Michael Sonnenfeldt

Latest episode

12 May 2026 · 58 min

Shane Neman: How a Great Entrepreneur Becomes an Even Greater Investor

Host Michael Sonnenfeldt sits down with Shane Neman, serial entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Neman Ventures, to explore his evolution from startup founder to high-conviction investor. Born to Iranian immigrant parents who arrived in the U.S. as refugees, Shane shares how adversity, reinvention, and grit shaped his worldview from an early age. After leaving medical school during the dot-com boom, Shane went on to bootstrap and scale two successful technology companies: Junebug, a digital nightlife and ticketing platform, and EZ Texting, one of the first SMS marketing platforms in the…

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Earlier episodes 5 most recent

1. 

   S2 · E5 · 24 Mar 2026 · 55 min

   Joe Neiman: DealerClub CEO on Personal Transformation, Meditation, and Realizing What Matters Sooner

   Host Michael Sonnenfeldt sits down with Joe Neiman, a serial entrepreneur in the automotive technology space and 2X exited co-founder of ACV Auctions and DealerClub, digital marketplaces that transformed the wholesale vehicle industry. Starting as a car dealer, Joe built ACV into a category-defining powerhouse that scaled to over 50,000 cars sold per month and reached a $5B+ market cap. In 2024, he founded DealerClub, which was acquired just 3 months after launch. Joe has built his career by deeply understanding operator pain points and rethinking how markets function at scale. Joe also…

2. 

   S2 · E4 · 23 Feb 2026 · 52 min

   Peggy Styer: Solving Hard Problems for Mission Critical Customers

   Host Michael Sonnenfeldt sits down with national security entrepreneur and investor Peggy Steyer, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Razor’s Edge Ventures. A pioneer in defense, cyber, space, and AI investing, Peggy previously built Blackbird Technologies into a premier provider of mission-critical solutions for intelligence, defense, and law enforcement customers before its record-setting acquisition by Raytheon. She later co-founded Raven Wing, which was acquired by Boeing, and went on to launch Razor’s Edge, generating more than $1 billion in shareholder returns over the past five years.…

3. 

   S2 · E3 · 9 Feb 2026 · 55 min

   Alex Bean: From a $2.5B Exit To Building a Factory for Good

   On this episode of NEXT, Alex Bean—Co-founder of Divvy and Managing Partner of Tandem Ventures—reflects on what comes after entrepreneurial success. Drawing on his experience building a category-defining fintech company and exiting for $2.5B, Alex shares candid insights on founder identity, co-founder dynamics, and the emotional and relational challenges that often follow a liquidity event. He breaks down what product-market fit really feels like, how successful founder partnerships are structured, and why understanding your role—can be decisive in scaling a company quickly and sustainably.…

4. 

   S2 · E1 · 12 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 1 min

   Mae Karwowski: Pricing What Others Miss, Great Partners, and Timing the Exit

   Host Michael Sonnenfeldt kicks off Season 2 with creator economy pioneer Mae Karwowski Founder and CEO of Obviously, a leading influencer marketing agency working with global brands including Amazon, Ford, Ulta Beauty, and Coca-Cola. Mae built Obviously before influencer marketing became mainstream, helping define how brands partner with creators at scale across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. In 2023, Mae led Obviously through a successful acquisition by WPP, one of the world’s largest advertising and marketing companies, and continues to serve as CEO today. She shares…

5. 

   30 Dec 2025 · 2 min

   Season 2 Teaser

   Season 2 of NEXT with Michael Sonnenfeldt invites you ringside to conversations exploring life after major success – the prism where wealth, purpose, and legacy converge. Through intimate discussions with leading entrepreneurs and investors , uncover the playbooks for navigating life’s next phase. From managing wealth and identity to creating impact that endures. Learn from real stories of reinvention, purpose, and legacy from leaders who’ve been there. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, investment guidance,…

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