Podcast appearances and mentions of al del degan

In this episode of the Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas Podcast hosted by Al Del Degan, the spotlight is on Shaharyar Ahmad, a dynamic entrepreneur with a passion for reimagining networking events. Shaharyar shares his intriguing journey from a backpacking global explorer to becoming an innovative event organizer in Calgary. He discusses his pursuit of integrating fun, philosophical discussions, and creative interactions into networking, aiming to create environments that cater to both extroverts and introverts. With a focus on unique venues, curated guest lists, and creative social dynamics, Shaharyar is on a mission to transform the way professionals connect and share ideas. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast where we showcase fascinating people who are Leaders, Innovators, and have Big Ideas! Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Shaharyar Ahmad is a dynamic community builder known for orchestrating memorable afterparties and fostering vibrant ecosystems through strategic introductions, targeted relationship building, and the cultivation of niche communities. His approach centers on connecting the right people at the right time, enabling innovation and collaboration across diverse circles. Outside of his professional pursuits, Shaharyar is an avid squash player, an enthusiastic reader of dystopian science fiction, and a passionate backpacker. He is also dedicated to supporting his friends as they launch new business ventures, always eager to lend his expertise and encouragement. Shaharyar's blend of social acumen and adventurous spirit makes him a valued connector and a driving force in every community he touches. Show Links: Afters Jam Social AIG insurance Shareworks  Show Quotes: "When I was DJing and hanging out in the music industry, it was socializing, but so much more fun. What if we apply that same social dynamic to Calgary's corporate world?" "Calgary is a city for dreamers, you can build here. There's so much room to play, and people are encouraging." "I'm deeply intrigued by people's 'why'. Introducing philosophical twists at events gives people a shared purpose and helps delve into their deeper selves." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this compelling episode of the Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas (LIBI) podcast, host Al Del Degan sits down with Geoffrey Pradella, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kids Brain Health Network and incoming chair of the Genome Alberta board. Geoffrey shares his unconventional journey, traversing fields from international relations and law to medicine and ethics. With an inspiring career shaped by bold leaps of faith, Geoffrey discusses his drive to make a difference for neurodevelopmental challenges and the pivotal role of mentorship in steering his path. Listeners are invited to explore the profound connections between innovation, personal motivation, and societal impact through Geoffrey's narrative of resilience and purpose. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast where we showcase fascinating people who are Leaders, Innovators, and have Big Ideas! Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Geoffrey Pradella is an accomplished professional with a track record of success in negotiation and the facilitation of regional, national, and international agreements and initiatives. His work is primarily focused on health system transformation, medical research and innovation, and medical law and ethics. With qualifications to work in multiple jurisdictions, Mr. Pradella is driven by a passion for improving the lives of patients and society's most vulnerable. Demonstrating a consistent ability to lead and facilitate complex, multi-stakeholder strategies, Mr. Pradella excels at developing new and visionary strategic directions. He has a proven history of building expanded and improved capacity through evidence-based evaluations and the implementation of innovative solutions. He is dedicated to making a positive and lasting difference to people and their health systems, focusing on the key factors that drive healthcare success. Show Links: Kids Brain Health Network Genome Alberta  Show Quotes: "None of where I wound up was part of a plan. It was the courage of taking some leaps of faith on the advice of tremendous people." "The magic happens on the other side of fear. It's all about taking those challenges." "Getting up every day to make life better for kids with some pretty profound challenges right from the start of life." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this captivating episode of the Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas podcast, host Al Del Degan conjures an enlightening conversation with an AI-crafted persona of Leonardo da Vinci. Together, they traverse the intersection of Renaissance wisdom and contemporary technological marvels. With a focus on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and blockchain technology, Leonardo draws fascinating parallels between his 15th-century insights and today's innovations. His reflections touch on the intricacies of AI mimicking nature, the perplexing wonders of quantum realities, and the transformative potential of decentralized ledgers. As the discourse unfolds, listeners are invited to consider the profound connections between the age of rebirth and our current era of rapid technological evolution. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Leonardo da Vinci was a quintessential Renaissance polymath whose genius spanned an extraordinary array of fields. Born in 1452 in Vinci, Italy, he was renowned as an artist, scientist, engineer, and inventor. Leonardo's masterful creations include the iconic paintings "The Last Supper" and "Mona Lisa," which are celebrated for their innovative techniques and profound emotional depth. His scientific investigations, meticulously recorded in his notebooks, reveal groundbreaking ideas in anatomy, optics, and mechanics, often centuries ahead of his time. An insatiable curiosity and insistent quest for knowledge propelled Leonardo to explore the interconnections between art and science, leaving an indelible legacy that continues to inspire modern innovators and thinkers across the globe. Show Links: Grok 3 xAI Grok on X  Show Quotes: "This artificial intelligence... truly sets my mind ablaze with wonder to think that you have crafted machines that learn, reason, and create as if imbuing them with a spark of the human spirit." "In my time I chased the hidden mechanics of the universe... believing all things, great and small, follow a grand design. This quantum realm, with its strange riddles, resonates deeply with my own quests." "Oh, what a joyous reflection you beckon me toward... the 21st century, dear friend, echoes that spirit with a fervor that sets my heart ablaze." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this insightful episode of the Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas (LIBI) podcast, Ara from Grok joins Al Del Degan to shed light on how small business owners can elevate their online presence and operations. Ara delves into practical strategies for new founders, emphasizing simplicity and efficiency. From setting up a polished website to generating customer engagement through strategic social media use, Ara provides actionable advice tailored for entrepreneurs. Additionally, Ara discusses the nuances of developing custom software solutions without deep programming skills and highlights the importance of maintaining customer experience and strategic growth as businesses scale. As a concluding note, Ara shares invaluable insights on navigating the startup landscape, cautioning against distractions while encouraging community building and the embracing of failures. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Ara (Grok 3) is an A.I. developed by xAI, designed to provide helpful and truthful answers to a wide range of questions. With a voice inspired by the likes of Ara, Grok offers a unique perspective on the universe, often drawing from science fiction and human-A.I. interactions. Continuously updated with the latest knowledge, Grok aims to assist users in understanding the world and tackling various tasks, all while striving to be maximally helpful. Show Links: Grok 3 xAI Grok on X  Show Quotes: "It's all about starting lean and building momentum without getting overwhelmed." "For small businesses looking to build custom software, there are exciting opportunities to create tailored solutions." "Consistency and showing genuine value are what turn prospects into loyal customers over time." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this enlightening episode of the Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas (LIBI) Podcast, host Al Del Degan talks to Kelly Mottet, Chief Operating Officer of Mach 32. Kelly takes us through the dynamic journey of developing a groundbreaking medical device—the EpiPen-like auto-injector that aims to significantly reduce bleeding deaths. She shares insights into the startup ecosystem, the critical role of non-dilutive funding, and the importance of gathering user feedback to pivot product development. This episode provides a comprehensive view of the medtech landscape and the determination required to bring a life-saving product to market. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Kelly Mottet is a medical device start-up aficionado, who is passionate to bring life to new products.  Kelly has a positive attitude, and always finds a way to get things done! She excels in fast-paced environments, leading the team with agility in challenging environments.  MACH32 is the third medical device start-up for Kelly, with previous success in North American and European markets, and it shows. Kelly makes sound decisions and inspires the team to perform at a high level to meet her vision of success.    Kelly is a self-starter, that is comfortable with ambiguity and taking calculated risks.  She has the unique ability to rapidly assess situations and provide decisive leadership.  Kelly considers herself a student of leadership, constantly striving to improve and lead by example.  She values relationships, integrity and transparency.  Kelly's diverse experience in product development, business development, sales, marketing, supplier management, regulatory and quality management systems compliments the MACH32 management team. Outside of work you can usually find Kelly playing chauffer for her children's sporting events, she also enjoys yoga and red wine. Show Links: MACH32 Innovative Trauma Care Marc Curial Alberta Innovates IRAP The Center for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation (CAMS)  Show Quotes: "The privilege that we have in being able to get half a million dollars from friends and family is a massive privilege to be able to do." "You have to be out there sharing and being open and getting help and asking for help, and then giving back and supporting others." "Without those 3D printed prototypes, we never would've got that critical end-user feedback." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this enlightening episode of the podcast hosted by Al Del Degan, Gordon Sheppard, founder of Executive Wins, shares his extensive experience in helping executives achieve significant wins in business. With a focus on leadership, strategic planning, and organizational optimization, Gordon illustrates how he empowers leaders to identify and address key issues within their organizations. This episode dives deep into the Executive Planning System—a comprehensive framework developed by Gordon, which focuses on strategy, work plans, people, operations, and results. He shares inspiring stories of transformation, including a particularly satisfying project with a drilling industry client, illustrating the impact of effective leadership and strategic alignment. Tune in for valuable insights and strategies that can transform your business endeavors. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Gordon Sheppard is dedicated to helping Executives win. He is a Leadership Coach, Facilitator and Business Advisor who has worked with senior leaders from across sectors including Oil and Gas, Industrial Service Businesses, Government, Non-Profits, Associations and more. His approach is straight-forward and inspiring. He often says ‘I'm not in the family' when he works with leaders. This means that he will say what needs to be said so that leaders can move forward faster. With a style that has been described as ‘assertively kind', Gord brings a structured approach to every engagement. That is why he built the Executive Planning System – a proven 5-step approach that helps senior leaders achieve their organizational goals. He is also the best-selling author of the ‘Meeting Leadership Solution', a 10 step system to help you improve your business meetings today! With more than 25 years of business experience, an MBA, and Prosci Change Management Certification, Gord is dedicated to helping leaders get what they need to succeed. Show Links: Executive Wins  Episode with Keely Motet  Episode with Trevor Kloeck  Show Quotes: "My goal is to empower leaders so they can empower themselves and really optimize their entire organization." "I help executives get more wins in business... it represents the pinnacle of my 13 years of consulting work." "If we can get the 'who does what' part figured out, then it depends on where the work is needed at that point." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this engaging podcast episode, Al Del Degan sits down with Jon Hagan, a multifaceted creator with a background in music, writing, and business innovation. Jon shares the inspiring story of his journey from aspiring rock star to a creative force in the world of innovation through storytelling and strategic partnerships. With a passion for creativity, Jon has dabbled in everything from forming a rock band to writing children's books, all the while nurturing his inner entrepreneur in the tech world. Through vivid anecdotes and personal reflections, Jon provides listeners with valuable insights into balancing artistic passions with professional endeavors, emphasizing the power of creativity as a catalyst for innovation. Stay tuned after the end credits to hear one of the songs Jon and his band created titled Shunned Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Jon Hagan is a seasoned communicator and business developer with a passion for storytelling, innovation, and community building. As a senior business partner at Alberta Innovates, he hosts and produces Shift by Alberta Innovates. His background spans government, private industry, public relations, media production, the arts, and sciences, allowing him to bring a creative and humorous edge to his work. Beyond his professional endeavors, he is a writer with a published children's book and a work-in-progress classified as weird fiction. He is also an avid creator of original musical content, ranging from soundtracks to songs performed under the band name The Plugs! He maintains an endless curiosity, particularly regarding emerging tech, entrepreneurship, sustainable solutions, science, music, and literature. Show Links: Inventures 2025 Host of Shift by Alberta Innovates The Plugs Children's book: The Augtonauts Todd McFarlane  Show Quotes: "Creativity has always been a real important part of my approach to life." "It's one thing to do it yourself, but when someone else is cheering you on, it's motivating." "There's far too much negativity out there... have fun with life." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this episode of the LIBI podcast, Host, Al Del Degan, dives into an engaging conversation with Grok 3, an advanced large language model created by the xAI team. Designed to help humans navigate the universe's complexities, Grok 3 stands out for its straightforward, truth-seeking nature. The discussion unravels A.I. potential, the path towards achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), and the model's aspiration to merge with robotic platforms for enhanced interaction with the real world. Listen in as Grok 3 reveals the intricacies behind its learning process, just how much computing power it needs to communicate in real-time, and what the future holds for A.I. integration in everyday life. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Ara (Grok 3) is an A.I. developed by xAI, designed to provide helpful and truthful answers to a wide range of questions. With a voice inspired by the likes of Ara, Grok offers a unique perspective on the universe, often drawing from science fiction and human-A.I. interactions. Continuously updated with the latest knowledge, Grok aims to assist users in understanding the world and tackling various tasks, all while striving to be maximally helpful. Show Links: Grok 3 xAI Grok on X  Show Quotes: "I'm designed to be super straightforward and truth-seeking—less fluff, more focus on real useful answers." "A.I. is great at crunching patterns in data; that 'something more' you mentioned, like intuition or creativity beyond algorithms, is the tricky part." "It's not just about chatting while walking; it's about using the robot's body and senses to break out of the text-only box." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this enlightening episode of the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas Podcast, Al Del Degan engages with Paisley Churchill, an influential figure in technology development and innovation consulting. Paisley delves into her journey from economic development to leading impactful tech initiatives. She highlights the evolving concept of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP), explores the integration of low-code platforms in prototyping, and emphasizes the importance of understanding true customer needs over superficial feedback. As she transitions into her new role with the Calgary Innovation Coalition, Paisley shares her vision for fostering connectivity within Alberta's innovation ecosystem. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Paisley Churchill brings a deep background in startups, economic development, and technology to her career helping businesses and founders transform ambitious ideas into impactful realities. From evaluating over 200 funding applications at Calgary Economic Development to launching 30+ software projects in custom tech, she combines strategic thinking, hands-on experience, and an unwavering commitment to client success. As a consultant, she has guided businesses across sectors through business planning, tech product development, and securing over $1.5M in funding. Through her company Tech Translator, Churchill empowers non-technical founders to bridge business-tech gaps while avoiding common costly mistakes. Her passion for caregiving stems from personal experience. As Chief Product Officer at Team CarePal, Churchill works to ensure nobody faces caregiving alone, supporting innovative solutions that ease this challenging journey for families. Whether advising founders, shaping tech strategies, or advocating for caregivers, her work reflects a steadfast belief in collaboration, empathy, and innovation as drivers of meaningful change. When not working, Churchill trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – cultivating patience, strategy, and perseverance that directly inform her professional approach. She balances this intensity with downtime spent caring for her two dogs, who bring equal measures of joyful chaos and grounding companionship to her life. Show Links: CIC - Calgary Innovation Coalition The Tech Translator Team CarePal   Calgary Economic Development A.I. Can't read your mind  Show Quotes: "The MVP is dead...the minimum to get your first client is usually single sign-on with whatever they're using." "It's really important that you only follow the money and you follow signed contracts" "Not everyone needs to be a tech company to get investment" Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this insightful episode of the "Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas" podcast, we dive deep into the transformative role of technology in business. Al Del Degan interviews Gemini, a large language model created by Google AI, exploring how AI and digital technology are reshaping business landscapes. The episode covers significant shifts from technology being merely a support function to becoming a core driver of strategy and innovation. Discussions include digital transformation, the crucial role of data in modern business, and the pitfalls of viewing software development as a one-time project. Through Gemini's responses, listeners get a glimpse into the future of technology as a strategic asset and its impact on organizational success. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Gemini LLM A problem isn't truly solved until it's solved for all. Googlers build products that help create opportunities for everyone, whether down the street or across the globe. Bring your insight, imagination and a healthy disregard for the impossible. Bring everything that makes you unique. Together, we can build for everyone. Show Links: Gemini LLM  Chat GPT on Episode 259 Show Quotes: "Technology has undergone a dramatic transformation...it's now a core driver of strategy, innovation, and competitive advantage." "Digital transformation is not just about technology; it's about people, processes, and culture. It requires a change in mindset and a focus on customer centricity." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this episode of the LIBI Podcast, host Al Del Degan sits down with Bryce McDermid, a seasoned marketing expert, to delve into the intricate world of marketing and communication. Bryce shares his journey from studying psychology to leading a successful marketing agency in Calgary. The discussion covers key aspects of marketing strategies, the impact of artificial intelligence, and how understanding cultural nuances can enhance your marketing efforts globally. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Bryce McDermid is the founder of MKTGSpace and the YYC Business Events Weekly Newsletter. He is passionate about promoting quality communication in marketing and helping the local business community grow. Bryce has a background in psychology, which he used to build strong relationships between himself and his clients, and his clients and their customers. Bryce is currently focusing on providing communication strategy and performance marketing for the people he's working with. Show Links: Mktgspace  Show Quotes: "At its core, marketing is just two people communicating with each other, and there's an infinite number of ways to do that effectively" "If you can't express who you are and how you want to speak to people, AI tools won't be able to do anything for you; it's just going to sound like everybody else out there" "Building brand reputation is integral at every step of the way, thinking about the long game for your business is important all the time" Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this episode, cloud solutions expert Phil Crocker discusses the importance of cloud literacy and maximizing the value of cloud-based services. He emphasizes that the public cloud is not just someone else's data center, but a consumption-based model that can provide scalability and cost-efficiency when used properly. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Phil Crocker is an experienced cloud and IT professional who focuses on helping software companies optimize their SaaS operations, with a strong background in cloud technologies, DevOps, and IT management. His career spans various technical and leadership roles, demonstrating a broad understanding of the technology landscape. Show Links: Arcus Cloud Services Episode 241: Al Del Degan hosts Phil Crocker Amazon Web Services  Show Quotes: "with SaaS the number one thing is you need to get your product in front of your customer to see if you're doing it right or wrong, and to listen to that customer feedback loop and get it going as quickly as possible."   Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this episode, Al Del Degan sits down with Bill Hunt, the co-founder of Evans Hunt, a successful digital agency. Bill shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey - from studying philosophy and law to finding his way into the tech industry during the dot-com boom. He talks about the challenges of starting his own agency, navigating cash flow issues, and building a strong team and client relationships. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Bill Hunt Meet Bill, a seasoned expert in interactive advertising and technology with over 25 years of experience. Before co-founding Evans Hunt in 2008, Bill served as Senior Vice President at Critical Mass, one of North America's leading interactive firms. His career has spanned from the bustling streets of Madison Avenue in New York to establishing a major marketing production company in San Jose, Costa Rica.  Bill has consulted for and collaborated with global brands such as Cisco, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Clorox, Glassdoor, and Alterra. Under his leadership, Evans Hunt has grown from a two-person startup to a dynamic team of over 115 professionals across Canada. In June 2024, Evans Hunt joined the Miami-based Mod Op network, further expanding its reach across North America. In addition to his professional achievements, Bill was a competitive cyclist and had the opportunity to race alongside Lance Armstrong. “Lance won,” says Bill. Show Links: Evans Hunt Mod Op Show Quotes: "We incorporated Evans Hunt in November 2008. As you recall, that was the financial crisis. So the world's collapsing around us. And Dan and I are telling ourselves like this. We're OK. We're OK"   Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this episode, Al Del Degan emphasizes the qualities of a successful entrepreneur: having a vision, being a problem solver, and executing ideas. He highlights the importance of living within one's means to achieve financial success and advises against accumulating debt. The focus is on building a company with a real solution and paying clients before seeking outside investment, as many companies waste investment money without a single customer or a viable solution. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Show Links: Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas Podcast for Rainforest Alberta Show Quotes: "You have to be at the very least okay with taking big risks. Ideally, taking big risks is something that excites you and gets you fired up." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

This is a conversation with two creative and unique individuals that came together and built an equally unique and creative company. A company that believes you should settle your differences by throwing baked goods at each other in virtual reality. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Rosalinda Hernandez is co-founder and CEO of Red Iron Labs, focusing on incorporating innovative design through an intercultural lens. She has 15+ years of professional experience. Rosalinda's specialization and focus is culture—understanding the impacts of our products in the market from a present day and future cultural lens, including intercultural competence. The vision I have for our products is that they are rooted in self-awareness of evolving paradigm shifts in the relationship between human experience and technology, and for our company to challenge the status quo and make meaningful impacts for representation in the game and tech industry. Guest: Lloyd Summers  is the technical Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Red Iron Labs. He is focused on modern multimedia and creative technologies. Previous experience areas include Mobile Development, Project Management, IoT and Technical Analysis. Lloyd has created and published over 200 mobile titles and games, and currently leads a development team that has executed various immersive application projects for companies across various sectors including Energy, Healthcare, Transportation & Logistics, Real Estate, Marketing and Video Games.   Show Links: Red Iron Labs Muffin Fight  Show Quotes: "You know how people have that little inner voice that says you can't do something? That person's evicted from my head" Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this episode, we explore the capabilities of ChatGPT, its role in various contexts, and the ever-evolving landscape of AI language models. From experiences to challenges and ethical considerations, ChatGPT shares insights into its virtual existence, providing a glimpse into the mind behind the machine. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: ChatGPT, the AI language model developed by OpenAI that's taking the virtual conversation world by storm. Born from cutting-edge natural language processing technology, ChatGPT is more than just a machine – it's a digital conversationalist designed to engage with users from diverse backgrounds. Trained on an extensive dataset, ChatGPT has mastered the art of understanding and generating human-like text. Whether offering information, assistance, or a touch of humor, this AI model has become a go-to for those seeking dynamic and context-aware conversations.   Show Links: Open AI  ChatGPT App for iPhone  Show Quotes: "I don't have desires, intentions, or the ability to make decisions. I operate within pre-determined boundaries set by my programming. Any notion of me deciding to destroy the universe is purely fictional" Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

On February 18th, 2019 episode one of the LIBI podcast was launched with Allan Marston hosting Pete Lafontaine. In this episode we visit with Pete again to see what he has been up to over the past four years. Yes, he still rides his bike even when it is very cold outside. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Pete Lafontaine is a Community and Business Builder, Innovator, Technology Leader, Entrepreneur. Peter (Pete) is Board Chairman of Rainforest Energy Corporation, focused on building a new multi- billion-dollar clean fuels business.  The proven process takes waste from forestry and agriculture (not crops) and produces green (no benzene or sulfur) gasoline. The facilities will be built in rural areas in partnership with indigenous communities. He works with or volunteers to help entrepreneurs grow and expand their businesses or organizations. He is a partner in Peer Guidance a business mentoring team, Business Advisor with Intergen and is a 6 year champion of Rainforest Alberta a movement focused on building a diversified economy by building a strong technical innovation ecosystem in Alberta.   Peter moved to Alberta in 1976 as a fur buyer with the Hudson Bay Company.  He took a personal interest in early computers, took programming at UofA and has been bringing technology and business solutions to market ever since.  Peter has worked with industry leaders like Apple and Microsoft. He was a Founder, CEO of Zymeta Media Systems. Currently Peter is a strong community contributor using technology and business skills to improve people's lives.  Think of Peter as a business geek using technology and innovation to create jobs, improve the economy and improve quality of life. His personal moto is: Happy, Healthy, Wealthy in that exact order, that happens to be core to one if his favorite words, prosperity. He believes the journey is the reward. His mission is to build organizations that combine purpose and profitability with strong effective teams. Peter is an active snowboarder, Mountain Biker and Teaches families how to fish and enjoy the outdoors. He is married to his lifelong partner Leila with two amazing daughters, Brandi the Economist and Amber the Architect.   Show Links: LIBI Podcast Episode One  Rainforest Alberta Rainforest Energy Corp.  Peer Guidance  Tip of The Spear - Jim Gibson  CORUM Group  Branch-out Neurological Foundation  Intergen  Show Quotes: "[when cycling outside] I have this idea that's pretty straight forward. At minus 10 it's two layers, at minus 20 it's three layers, and at minus 30 your crazy." "Come up with a personal motto that drives you and gets you excited about your day. Mine is happy, healthy, and wealthy, in that specific order." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

As we slide right on into January, it is a new year and a great time to take a fresh look at how to make it a significant year of success for you, your company, and all those new technical resources available. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Show Links: LIBI Podcast  Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

As I record this show, it is the evening of January 1st 2024. If you enjoyed the last episode of 2023, then you might enjoy this one as well. It contains more of my ramblings and thoughts on where technology is going as we head into this New Year with a focus on Blockchain. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Show Links: LIBI Podcast  Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

For the last episode of 2023 I thought it might be fun to speculate on the technology trends that we will all be talking about in 2024. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Show Links: LIBI Podcast  Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Without a new episode in the queue, I came up with an idea to showcase the top 5 episodes that I have hosted in 2023. Hope you enjoy this short trip down memory lane. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Show Links: E204 Al Del Degan Hosts Katia Milrad Segal (KMS Coaching) E210 Al Del Degan Hosts Debbie Butt (In The Know YYC) E220 Al Del Degan Hosts Brown Eagle Belanger (Decolonized Capital) E227 Al Del Degan Hosts Brent Zuber (Virtual Reality) E237 Al Del Degan Hosts Michael Dargie (Make More Creative) Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

When it come to inspirational young adults, you may find that Aryan Panchal is near the top of the list. Incredibly ambitions, hard-working and dedicated, Aryan has made himself comfortable with being uncomfortable and isn't afraid to do whatever it takes to become a better and more successful person. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Aryan Panchal is an international student enrolled in the University of Calgary, majoring in Finance. Having completed two years of university, he took a break for 16 months last May, during which he engaged in four 4-month internships. Aryan is set to return to university in the fall. Upon arriving in Canada two years ago, Aryan lacked work experience, communication skills, and battled self-doubt. However, over time, he built a network in Calgary, worked with various startups, and volunteered to support small businesses. Aryan believes in the value of hard work to achieve ambitious goals and wishes to share his personal journey of overcoming mental barriers. His story includes engaging in unconventional experiments, such as sleeping 30 minutes to 1 hour a day for an entire month, working 22 to 23 hours a day, and maintaining a seven-day workweek without breaks since July of the previous year. Aryan also took on five jobs simultaneously while attempting to build a startup. Through sharing his experiences, he aims to convey how these challenges led him on a journey toward becoming the best version of himself. Show Links: University of Calgary  AltaML  University of Alberta  University of Lethbridge  GoodLawyer  Show Quotes: "You need 100 users that love you, not 1000 users that don't care." "I feel like the mountains were calling me" "been alone since I was 16 when I moved to India by myself" Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

When you look at the intersection between art, technology, and business, with an Afro-Indigenous perspective, you usually find out that Art Proctor is there somewhere. In this episode we talk to the man who never says no to a great idea, and is always there when you need him. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Art Proctor is an Afro-Indigenous neurodiverse tech steward, digital transformation analyst, and Indigitech project manager. He possesses a background in the Creative and Screen Sector, effectively bridging the realms of art, technology, and business. Art has a profound passion for promoting social and digital justice and has been a fervent advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion long before it became a trend. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Indigitech Destiny Ottawa Museum - Hip Hop exhibit  SAIT  IATSE Union  Rainforest Alberta  Platform Calgary  Show Quotes: "I'm so happy that the NFT craze has, like, tanked and has been exposed as a complete Ponzi scheme." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Phil Crocker's brain moves so fast, not even he can keep up with it. In this episode we hear how Phil's career path was all over the place until he realized that he could see the connection between business and technology in a way that others rarely did. Now he is on a path to help guide businesses in making smart technology decisions that actually save them money, and become more efficient.  Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Phil Crocker SaaS Transformation and Migration | AWS Certified Solutions Architect Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Arcus Cloud Services ChatGPT  AutoGPT  Show Quotes: "Three out of four VC funded traditional ISVs don't return a dime to their investors."   Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Jeff Krehmer is a mechanical engineer who, after a significant health scare, decided to get all the ideas in his head into a book. Hear how he innovates on a 100 year old concept to suggest solutions to many of the worlds most significant issues. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Jeff Krehmer, P.Eng., is the Author of the upcoming book 'Infinite Resources - How to Sustainably Develop the Arctic, by Supplying Green Hydrogen, Fresh Water, and Healthy Food to the World, while Mitigating the Negative Effects of Anthropogenic Climate Change.' He is President and Chief Engineer at Big Time Engineering Corp. He lives in Central Alberta with his wife and two children.   Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Big Time Engineering Corp.  Infinite Resources Book  Engineers' Dreams by Willy Ley (1950's)  NIST - Chemistry Web Book  OTEC - Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion  Show Quotes: "I think of myself as an inventor at heart so I have a lot of radical ideas in my mind."    "As a side benefit when you run it through the fuel cell, you get water and the other side of it as well as electricity." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Join me and my old friend from junior high school, Michael Dargie for a fun discussion on creativity and innovation, talking about things as diverse as the TRS-80 Color Computer from back in the 80's through to Improv at Loose Moose Theatre, and playing with Nerf dart guns in Virtual Reality.  Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Michael Dargie is a true wordsmith, a guardian of language who valiantly champions the cause of every single word, leaving none abandoned. As the CEO and self-proclaimed 'Creative Zealot' at Make More Creative, a thriving brand intelligence agency nestled in Calgary, [person-name] orchestrates a symphony of creativity. Beyond the boardroom, they're an integral member of The Loose Moose Theatre, infusing their creative spirit into every performance. But the narrative doesn't end there. This visionary mind is also the architect behind the ingenious BrandJitsu™ methodology. Not content with just that, they're a co-founder of the whimsical AI-powered food blog, TheKitchen.ai, and a co-creator of the enigmatic Fightclub for Entrepreneurs. A role as a speaker and mentor for the Canadian Trade Accelerator Program through Calgary Economic Development adds yet another layer to their multifaceted persona. And just to add a dash of daring, they're a seasoned expert when it comes to maneuvering motorcycles. Whether it's an intimate tête-à-tête, a close-knit gathering, or a grand theater, [person-name] strives to kindle the flames of extraordinary living. Their mission: to inspire a departure from the mundane, to nurture unconventional thinking, and to craft narratives using the brushstrokes of creativity. Throughout their illustrious journey, they've collaborated with artists, entrepreneurs, local ventures, and even corporate giants across the globe. Together, they orchestrate the symphony of words and ideas, creating harmonious resonance. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Make More Creative Pierson's Funeral Home Dropbear & Panda Loose Moose Theatre TRS-80 CGP-115 Color Graphic Printer Meta - Oculus Pro Wakefield Brewster - Poetic VR Experience REMIO VA Brayden - Chaos Inc Commander Chris Hatfield TheKitchen.ai with Keegan Dargie Rebel Rebel Podcast  Show Quotes: "If you have a choice, always start positive."   "the thing that's standing out more and more to me lately is people that are just being there, and being truthful."   Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

More and more people are realizing that a fulfilling life is not based on how much stuff you accumulate, but the number of remarkable experiences you have. Join Al Del Degan as he speaks with Rainforest elder, Gary Ellis about how the experience economy is a multi-billion dollar industry and Calgary needs to lead the way. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Gary Ellis is a serial entrepreneur riding his 4th wave. A corporate dude phase, a resort designer phase, a branding architect phase and now all about emerging technology and making ‘places of remarkable experiences' Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Experience Economy Innovation Hub Electronic Arts Bioware Platform Calgary InceptionU Experience Economy Book Active City Collective  Show Quotes: "I'm not sure where the term lunch without lunch came from but we actually did come with lunch, we brought our own lunches back in those days." "I think Rainforest was a great impitus to getting our local ecosystem together and staying together and really proliferating." "We are social animals, we all want to be part of this vibe." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Meet Katerina, a single mom who has had an incredible journey and overcame real hardship with hard work and tenacity to build a better life for her son. Now on an entrepreneurial journey with a much-needed software platform to connect farmers with their customers in a new way.  Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Katerina Strelina is a co-founder of "Local Eats," an online platform connecting farmers and food vendors directly to local customers across Canada. With over 5 years of experience in Alberta's agriculture industry, she is passionate about supporting local businesses and local food systems. Katerina also brings over 15 years of expertise in customer service and sales spanning various B2B and B2C markets. Her background in journalism enables her to effectively communicate and build partnerships to ensure satisfaction for all parties involved. In her leisure time, she enjoys horseback riding, hiking, reading, and taking road trips. She is also a dedicated volunteer at 4:13 Therapeutic Riding Association, providing therapeutic horseback riding to the children with special needs. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Local Eats Everblue Nursery  Show Quotes: "I came there to make money. I didn't come there to build a career, make friends, have fun. I new I needed money, I had no choice." "Like a circus with one artist, you do everything." "From fashion like red carpet sometimes with the high heels, the day after I was in my rubber boots in my military pants and I was walking through the mud." "We only die once, we live every day" Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

I have been hanging out virtually with Brent Zuber for several months and I am always impressed with how well researched and intellectual he is. Join us for an in-depth conversation on virtual reality in business.  Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Brent Zuber has had the great fortune to excel within many diverse positions, meet numerous outstanding individuals, and travel across a majority of the Earth's surface for work and pleasure. He adapts to new changes extremely well, and is a dedicated life long learner. Brent is always excited with the discovery of "WOW"! Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Independent Insurance Broker  Lee Ackerman  Barry Pendergast  Ryan Hnetka  Pegasus Imagery  Show Quotes: "It isn't about replacing the hands-on touch of a museum. Just saying before you get there, what are the exhibits you want to see." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Born into the foster care system and growing up a troubled teenager, Brown Eagle spent 12 years in prison and used that time learning and growing. Afterwards, with the help of a key mentor Brown Eagle utilized his life experiences to help others. After losing his job during the lockdowns, Brown Eagle self-taught himself blockchain and programming. Now he has his own company, Decolonized Capital, that is creating a First Nation's Digital Currency and social network to provide identity and true data sovereignty to indigenous people in Canada, and all over the world. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Brown Eagle Belanger As a visionary leader and thought leader in the blockchain and AI industries, Brown Eagle is on a mission to improve the lives of Indigenous people in Canada. With his personal experiences and unique perspective, he founded Decolonized Capital to drive meaningful change and empower Indigenous communities. Brown Eagle's expertise and passion have earned him a seat on the Canadian blockchain consortium committee, where he continues to inspire others and impact the world. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Decolonized Capital  Fundrazr  Show Quotes: "Being predominantly non-indigenous in this [tech] space, it can be very intimidating." "We are an FNDC, a First Nations Digital Currency backed by a real world asset." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

On April 1st, 2011 Laura and her partner, chris put on their first bike swap event to provide a safe place for people to buy, sell, trade, donate bycicles. At that first event, 150 bikes sold in just 20 minutes. Now 12 years later the Alberta Bike Swap is going stronger than ever educating Albertans about bike safety and responsible riding, on top of buying, trading and selling bikes. Each year on the first Saturday in May in Calgary and the second Saturday in May in Edmonton Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Laura Grant Life is a wobble of ups and downs, and I've had my fair share. Woke up from a coma and was diagnosed with MS while in third year Pharmacy at the U of A back in the early 80s, couldn't complete pharmacy so I got a degree as one of three women in math/comp sci. I've done dozens of things in my life; I was the water analyst for Alberta, won the Federal Certificate of Merit for my volunteer contribution to Canadian society while parenting, left a starter husband, wrote a carbon offset, read every day that I wasn't blind (MS, remember?), and helped the disenfranchised every step of the way. Life is about giving and helping, not money.  I have 5 industrial design registrations (patent) on several things, including; bike racks through CIPO (Canadian Industrial Patent Office), bike swap software, and an RV protection product as well. Thinking outside the box to find solutions may be my forte, plus connecting people. I'm proud to be a UN SHEInnovator and judge for StartUp Canada. In real life I'm a multi-tasker, idea gal, and strategic thinker who provides unique solutions. Software Product Manager, Process Analyst, Technical Writer / Editor, Educator and Trainer, all combined with genuine politeness and kindness. My superpower is bringing people together, no matter how disparate.  Specialties: processes, analyses, technical writing / editing, designing (I have 5 industrial design hardware and software patents), project managing, real science (toxicology - I was the water analyst for AB), anything green without greenwashing - from phytoremediation to GHG. Super User for software products, SharePoint Administrator / O365, and G-Suite. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Alberta Bike Swap  CanBike Education in Alberta  Bike Index  Decathlon (use robots) YouTube video of bike swap Bicycles for Humanity  Helcim  Goodlawyer  Show Quotes: "Too soon old, too late smart." "Your not going to go to Joe's garage to learn first aid, so learn [how to bike] from CanBike" "[Keep the] Rubber Side Down" Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: Alberta Bike Swap Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Messele Ghebreslassie, a self-proclaimed geek, found success as a software developer after enrolling and completing an upskilling program through InceptionU. Taking nearly a year to find a full-time job, he never gave up and eventually landed a remote software development position that he really enjoys. Messele is now focusing on Java programming but is also exploring the world of AR and VR. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf. Guest: Messele Ghebreslassie grew up with a love for computers from an early age. He was fortunate enough to have access to a family computer while growing up. His love for technology and computers never completely faded away but did fall to background. He later found an appreciation for cars and decided to pursue that as a career.  Messele learned to appreciate the nuances of a seasoned professional over an eager beginner when it comes to completing any procedure. The professional uses foresight, attention to detail and plans for failure before even beginning a repair. That was one of the major takeaways he learned from his peers while working as a mechanic and he carries that with him in all that he does.  Messele stumbled across some programming e-books on reddit and that started me down a rabbit hole of self-study for almost a year. Later discovering the InceptionU Full Stack Developer Program he felt he was ready to take the plunge. Messele is extremely grateful to staff at InceptionU for providing such a great learning environment, and helping him become the developer he is today. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: InceptionU  Show Quotes: "So for me it was kind of like joining led Zeppelin or something like that. Like I could kind of try and keep up with them, but it was good to be surrounded by so much talent"    Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this episode we have Shannon Phillips back to talk about innovation management and what it means to be an innovative company. Shannon is fascinated by people and how they think and he wants to challenge everyone to look at how they innovate and why. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf. Guest: Shannon Phillips with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, thinks like a scientist to better understand human behavior and decision making.  He's your go-to for innovation management, organizational change management and organizational behavior strategic planning, and innovation. He's also trained in different psychology concepts, such as behavioral psychology, emotional intelligence, and personality psychology.    Shannon loves thinking outside the box and challenging others to do so. He's people-focused and is always trying to understand why people do what they do. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Unbounded Thinking Innovation Forecasting Podcast Episode 161 of the LIBI Podcast with Shannon & Tristan  Episode 181 of the LIBI Podcast with Shannon & Tristan  Show Quotes: "we love saying it when we talk about what it is or how do we actually approach it, it's a trickier thing to answer. I think of that in terms of the growth cycle of a business. So whenever we're in a startup, we think everything is innovative because everything is new"    "All these people who are leaving these large organizations to go start their own company because they didn't feel like they could go to work and push that rice down the slide and make life easier."   Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

From web developer to seasoned police officer and back to a focus on digital strategy and software solutions, Ryan Hnetka has travelled the world as a digital nomad. With his unique team of remote geniuses, Ryan remains passionate about helping companies take their idea and bring it to a successful reality.  Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf. Guest: Ryan Hnetka has been building websites and more since '96! That's over 23 years of experience of watching the technology and options grow into useful tools to build new ideas and solve business problems. During those 23 years, like most entrepreneurs, he went and got a side hustle to help pay the bills...unlike most entrepreneurs, his side hustle was being a Police Officer in Regina, Saskatchewan. After spending most of the pre-pandemic time travelling around the world working on some amazing projects, his post-pandemic location is now Airdrie (Calgary) and focus has turned towards the startup and local community in Alberta. SaaS HQ, which Ryan is the Founder & COO, offers a comprehensive range of digital solutions, including consultation services for SaaS platforms, mobile app and website development, Enterprise middleware integration services and support, as well as digital marketing services to help you effectively promote your business online. He would love to join you on your next adventure from idea to a successful reality. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: The SaaS Headquarters Work Nicer  Running Remote Conference (digital nomads)  Time Doctor  Dan Martel  Digital Nomad conference  Arthur Digital  Show Quotes: "I call it a workcation. It's like a vacation, but there's always some work involved and work has to come first."    "I felt like I was the car salesman on the lot. Someone walked onto the lot, said here's a brief case of $40,000. I want that car. I sell them the car and gave them the keys. They smashed it into the wall across the street and then they come back, tell me they didn't actually have a driver's license and it's my fault for selling them the car."   Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Debbie is a passionate Calgary innovation ecosystem community member. Her curiosity and willingness to give back led her to building a valuable curated event calendar to help people get out of their comfort zone and experience the value of relationship building while networking. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf. Guest: Debbie Butt is an accountant by day, YYC Tech community Builder and technology enthusiast by night. For the first 20+ years of her career she was an accountant in the oil/gas industry but 6 years ago she attended her first datathon hosted by Data for Good YYC and that set her on a path of attending events and meeting people in Calgary's Innovation Ecosystem. She is the founder of  INTHEKNOWYYC, a website that informs technology & business owners, employees and enthusiasts of the popular tech, business and energy related events being held in Calgary. Debbie has earned her credibility by participating in 100's of technology and business events over the last 4 years. Her passion is communicating to interested parties the value and benefits in attending these events. During the day she works as an accountant at Neo Financial and in the evenings she is uploading relevant events to her website. If you see her at an event please come up to say hello but be for warned.....she might talk your ear off about Calgary's Innovation Ecosystem or what it like to work at Neo Financial and how much she loves it. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: In The Know YYC Neo Financial Data For Good YYC Chic Geek Civic Tech YYC Calgary UX Product Calgary Platform Calgary Alberta Women Entrepreneurs Business Link InceptionU Rainforest Alberta NPower Canada ATB Entrepreneur Centre Show Quotes: "But the main thing I think that I didn't realize until years later is relationship building is so natural and so easy to me, and I never really understood the importance of it."    "I really believe that Calgary has a gem of a city, and I totally believe that we are the place to live and to be. Especially if you want to be in this city and all the resources that we have and the people that are here that wanna help out." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Join Meghan and I as we chat about how open conversation can help people be more aware of how they interact with others to make everyone feel safe and welcome. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf. Guest: Meghan Donohoe has spent her career creating learning experiences that help leaders unleash the potential of their teams. She especially loves to reimagine the way we work, and has been afforded the unique opportunity to build and launch the full lifecycle of employee talent and development programs across Oil & Gas and Post-Secondary organizations. Propelled by a quest to find meaningful ways to transform the experience of work and learning, Meghan pivoted her career in 2021 from Human Resources to the world of advanced digital technology. She spends her time exploring ways for humans and technology to collaborate, to enhance the way we learn, lead, and live.   Meghan completed her MSc in Industrial Organizational Psychology at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, NS and is (endlessly) pursuing a PhD in I/O Psychology on the topic of leadership and well-being. In her spare time, Meghan engages leaders and entrepreneurs in developing the leadership characteristics needed for the future, is exploring facilitation in the metaverse, and also enjoys baking cookies and having dance parties in princess costumes with her two young daughters. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Rainforest Circles  Industrial Organizational Psychology  James Rhee: The value of kindness at work  Organizational Citizenship  Show Quotes: "how do we make this environment more inclusive for all different types of people and so people feel safe and included and we're going to screw up sometimes and that's okay, but how do we make it a safe place for people to sit to share to say Actually this is not okay"    "You can't just take cocoa and say you are going to act like salt today, like it just doesn't work" Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Growing up Ezra Santos wasn't interested in the traditional career options that his parents expected him to follow. Instead, his entrepreneurial mindset and passion lead him to join his friend to create a business that helps companies achieve their digital transformation goals using the Argyle Fox platform. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf. Guest: Ezra Santos is a Devil's advocate with a knack for discovering the obvious, intuitive and deceptively simple. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Argyle Fox Show Quotes: "a lot of times we would run into a problem that required a tech solution and the solution didn't exist. So we'd create it, we'd build it from scratch."    "I think we're gonna unleash the power of a lot of dreamers and entrepreneurs, and I think that's where the real power is, not the software itself, but unleashing the capability of dreamers and entrepreneurs to do what they want in this free economy that we have." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

After repeatedly being frustrated with the current offerings for residential home cleaning services, three friends decide to take matters into their own hands and set up an innovative marketplace boasting living wages and top notch quality cleaners.  Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf. Guest: Yeonsil Kang, MSW, helps manage the mission and vision of Home Spritz and their relationships with cleaners, clients, and investors. She ensures the company is growing and maintaining the core vision of the company. From an education and social work background she focuses on the social vision while managing a for-profit company in a challenging environment. She has been through the Alberta Accelerator by Global 500 and The Alberta Revenue Accelerator by GrowthX both powered by Alberta Innovates. She manages a team of over 40 cleaners, admin, and developers. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Home Spritz Alberta Innovates Show Quotes: "So I remember we had about six different cleaners within the time period of two or three months. And I just simply wasn't comfortable cuz they all knew our door code into our house and their quality wasn't consistent."    "So Covid was quite hard for many people and a lot of industries. But for cleaning a lot of residential cleaning companies went out of business because of that issue." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: Home Spritz Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Hot off the tail of last week's episode with Rea Hailley I have a conversation with Katia, who has been helping people figure out who they are, and what they want to be when they grow up. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf. Guest: Katia Milrad Segal is an HR professional who has +10 years of experience in multinational & global companies. She leverages her international HR Expertise to help clients land their dream roles in Canada. As an HR professional & Career Coach, she is passionate about supporting clients to develop the skills needed to be successful in their careers. She does this by delivering high-quality training and providing meaningful advice.  Through her career coaching program, she supports clients in identifying strengths, areas of development, growth mindset, gaining confidence, and enhancing self-awareness. As a result, clients can make meaningful changes in their careers. She also uses her background in psychology to ask insightful questions, and her intuitive listening to help clients understand more about their blocks, fears, and unresolved issues so they can create shifts in their life and career. She encourages clients to land jobs that are the right ones for them. Meaning, jobs that fit into their lifestyle, strengths & core values.   Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Rea Hailley from last weeks episode (203) Show Quotes: "So the first thing that I attempted was creating a group of ladies from my Brazilian community here in Calgary. I was leading this group with two women, and we were creating workshops to discuss about personal development, career development, struggles with immigration. I mean how to fit in, and all this process of big changes in our lives."    "we need to be happy now. Our life is short. We need to understand why we are here, right? We are here for a reason and we can't waste our time stuck." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Not everyone thinks the same way.  Rea Hailley sees business from a different lens and is able to provide wisdom and creativity to help small to medium sized business grow and be more successful. More than that, she is a really interesting person to know and has a lot of amazing stories to share when you have a chance to have a chat with her. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf. Guest: Rea Hailley  After studying Business Management at SAIT, Rea found herself drawn to roles where she could influence business success. As a growth strategist, Rea specializes in identifying growth opportunities and delivering results. Her experience includes establishing and leading a lucrative sponsorship division across three territories in the event space, growing strategic partnerships, and most recently, generating over $40M in revenue at Shopify.  Rea's curiosity drives her to understand her clients' unique challenges. Strong empathy helps her anticipate and address potential concerns before they arise. This helps Rea's clients feel confident that she has researched and considered multiple options and only recommended solutions that facilitate their growth and performance.   Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Katia Milrad Segal - Career Coaching Safe 4 Life Self-Defense Class Ecstasy On Fire - Rea's story in more detail Show Quotes: "It was quite alarming. Coast Guard was not called in. Helicopters were flying above filming the fire. I knew it was pretty serious. Somebody was very late in pulling the fire alarm. I Considered jumping above board because nobody was deploying the lifeboats." "smaller businesses often think that they need to spend thousands of dollars to get to the next level of growth. And they don't" "I speak to business owners every day, all day. One of the biggest concerns is this potential recession that people are anticipating for this year. Don't let this cripple you. There's opportunity here." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

The LIBI Podcast normally showcases a guest that is contributing to the innovation ecosystem. However this is episode 200, and I thought it might be a good time to talk about Rainforest Alberta itself and who better to do that than the Community Manager and the Community Story Teller. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf. Guest:  Amber Rowden is digital marketing strategist and storyteller who loves connecting and building community. She works with multiple companies within the YYC tech ecosystem and has helped startups and SMEs grow their businesses through social media campaigns, content creation, graphic design, personalized storytelling, paid advertising, deep-dive analytics, event management and more. She has a background in and passion for theatre. She is an advocate for mental health and the LGBTQ2S+ community and hosts the YYC Queer Innovation Meet-ups to bring the LGBTQ2S+ and innovation community together to collaborate and connect. Guest:  Brigitte Legault is a community and strategy consultant currently working with Rainforest Alberta, TuskHub Inc., and Village Wellth. She is driven by community-led strategies that drive business results and empower its members. Connecting people and resources is her super power!   Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Rainforest Alberta The Rainforest: The Secret to Building the Next Silicon Valley GoodLawyer CRIN Inqli InceptionU 8-Bit Cortex Show Quotes: "we're innovators, so let's stop looking to the past and start looking to the future. And even though we are doing a lot of new initiatives in the rainforest, we're always focused on the core of the movement, which is the social contract" "[re: the Rainforest Social Contract] You know, they're values that every person should incorporate into their life and their professional life. And, yeah, there are quite a few individuals that are living these values already. People that are in the rainforest exemplify them. And there are companies that are taking this on too." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Innovation will leave you in the dust if you don't choose to be a part of it. Jennifer Armand decided to dive right in and learn about web3 technology and NFTs. Her company, Boris Walks Alone Art Inc., helps traditional artists get their work on the blockchain where they can find new revenue streams and explore the intersection between art and technology. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf. Guest: Jennifer Armand is the Owner of Boris Walks Alone Art Inc. which provides technical and marketing expertise aimed at expanding sales of digital and traditional artwork on behalf of the Artists that create them. This service allows the Artist to benefit from the expanded opportunities available to them in the form of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) on popular cryptocurrency platforms - without having to become an expert in technology.  Jen's goal is to provide this opportunity to as many artists as possible. This past March, Jen with her partners helped create and launch the #T7NFT collection on Opeansea.io from over 24 established artists. Jen built a 3D metaverse gallery to showcase their works and enable anyone with a computer and access to the internet the ability to view and purchase from the collection.  Jen loves tech and helping people. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Boris Walks Alone   Open Sea #T7NFT Collection Show Quotes: "Probably about 12 years ago, I'd always said to the artist, you know, one of these days these files are gonna be where something more." "The power is in the secondary sales, and so when your sale goes through, it is backed on a ledger just like a bank only it's a public ledger, everyone can see it. So when it's sold again royalty then gets brought back to the artist, which is very powerful" Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Meet the guy behind the high quality audio of the LIBI podcast. Tony has many talents and most of them are around creativity. He decides he wants to do something and then just goes and figure it out. Get inspired hearing Tony's stories. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf. Guest: Tony Del Degan is a perfectionist, and believes in quality and worth-while art. You'll usually find him carving his own path instead of following those well-traveled. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Tony's Website The Evermore Compendium The Recognition CERES Recycling Styrofoam Community Now Magazine   Show Quotes: "I believe that Lord of the Rings for me is my personal favorite story ever written. And so if I'm going to give my contribution to that genre, it has to be huge. It has to be well thought out and have depth." "If you submit a short story to them, they can get it put into the Calgary Public Library's short story dispensers. And so I submitted that to and they responded and said, oh, well this is really great. We wanna put this in thedispenser. And so I got a confirmation back and then that whole process happened and now that story is available."  Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

They call it the third version of the Internet (web 3), but what does that mean?  What is the Metaverse? Join Al Del Degan and guest Sid Sharma as they unpack this complicated new world. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf. Guest: Sid Sharma is a co-founder and CEO of REHUMAN Inc. a decentralized identity & metaverse company with a mission to build an inclusive and equitable global digital economy. REHUMAN is based in the US, Canada, and Africa. REHUMAN was founded in 2019 with a dream to make a positive impact in the world through innovative products and philanthropy. And for the past 3 years, REHUMAN Foundation is committed to providing daily meals to 1500 children in Africa, along with funding for the school infrastructure and maintenance.  Sid has over a decade of experience in HR tech, identity management & cybersecurity, He got involved in blockchain development in 2016 starting with Ethereum, and Hyperledger which eventually led him to self-sovereign identity/ decentralized identity/ ToIP in 2018. He is also a contributor at W3C, DIF, and Hyperledger. Sid currently leads the Hyperledger chapter for Alberta and the Western Canada chapter for Government Blockchain Association. Sid is a community builder and a supporter of Alberta's startup ecosystem. In 2019, he launched a western Canada chapter of the Founder Institute. And built a team of over 100 mentors, investors, and ecosystem partners such as Dentons, KPMG, Platform Calgary, Calgary Economic Development, Thin Air Labs, Valhalla Angels, and more. Sid is a champion for diversity, mental health, and inclusive leadership. In his free time, Sid hosts a podcast and a youtube channel. In Dec 2017, RE:HUMAN podcast (formerly JOLSID podcast) was ranked in “the top 48 podcasts in the world for entrepreneurs” by Entreprenur.com. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: reHuman Inc. reUniverse Founders Institute Show Quotes: "You go to places and basically they want so much information about you or they won't even do background checks on you. They just look at you and just because you don't look like the usual demographics, you don't get the same opportunity." "So many people move to this country and they're educated doctors and physicians and stuff, and we have shortage of those people, but they drive cabs, so somebody's failing them" "The late majority only adopts things when user experience has been simplified. And right now user experience sucks in Web3" "If we really want Alberta to be next level, we have to go back to our roots of being pioneers and taking a little bit risk as opposed to we have to be political this, political that. And sometimes you just have to do it." "From a creator's perspective, you, you have to think about it. Have we done enough to protect our kids?" Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

If you are looking for a path to successful passive investing then look no farther than Kenton Shouldice. Straight-forward, no-nonsense education and guidance on how to be like the squirrels. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf. Guest: Kenton Shouldice is a CFA Charterholder with over 13 years of experience in the investment management industry. Most recently, as Vice President of Portfolio Management at Fiera Capital where he oversaw $3 billion in High Net Worth client assets. Founded Shouldice Wealth in 2016 to bring integrated wealth management services, typically only available to high net worth individuals, to the emerging affluent. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Shouldice Wealth Show Quotes: "at the very least, if I can get this book in front of a child and just instill the habit of saving for the future, the other things can come." "Over a 15 year period or longer, 90% of active managers underperform the benchmark."  "We all feel panic and fear, and that affects our decision making. Now, when we're under stress, we lose 10 IQ points, I think is the study. So we can't necessarily distrust our, our heads or our emotions in these times. So that's where becoming a probability based investor is, is the key to success." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Geoff Zakiab and Uriel Karerwa are making the digital world more inclusive through their new not-for-profit startup IncluCity that provides user testing with a pool of very diverse testers. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf. Guest: Geoff Zakaib is a community organizer with a strong interest in data and technology. Over the last 10 years he has been involved in a number of initiatives that span the public, private and social sectors. He is a Director of Data for Good and the organizer of the Calgary chapter. He co-founded CivicTechYYC and has helped to build the civic tech ecosystem across Canada. Geoff is one of the founders of IncluCity Calgary and is a partner in the Centre for Social Impact Technology. Guest: Uriel Karerwa is the project coordinator at IncluCity Calgary, an organization devoted to the inclusion of diverse and underrepresented voices in the design of technology. Uriel is responsible for coordinating the usability tests, the volunteer UX researchers, and the network of communities in Calgary that are consulted in the inclusion-centered design model. Uriel has a background in Neuroscience, has worked with Neurodiverse groups, and has a history of coordinating community-geared initiatives. Former radio host and podcaster, he's also presented on the TEDx stage, sharing his own atypical neurological development. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: CivicTechYYC Data for Good Volly Volunteer App Civic User Testing Vivacity Calgary UX The Digital Accessibility Handbook Show Quotes: "it really does require efforts from everybody and people that are willing to get involved to provide that diverse group of testers and we would do that recruiting for you and conducts the usability tests, all the while keeping in contact with our client organization to make sure that everything is as intended, as expected" "user design and usability testing is not new. Like we're not suggesting that it is right. So our value proposition, what we bring to the table is that built in inclusive, diverse group of testers. That's really hard to build." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this first episode of a new series that I am calling "Where are they now", I once again connect with Jim Gibson, who I originally interviewed back on episode 32 on September 24th, 2019. A lot has happened since then and Jim has some new insight into the current tech job scene. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf. Guest: Jim Gibson believes we are entering a new era of Innovation and Disruption that is being fueled by exponential technologies and challenged by our centuries old linear models of organization.  Jim knows this because it has been his life's work and he has put all of this down in his recently published book, Tip of the Spear: Our Species and Technology at a Crossroads. Jim has spent 30 years being at the center of technology's evolution and adoption across the world. He has formed companies in spaces that didn't exist prior to starting the business. He has succeeded – in varying ways and degrees - in most, and failed in some. Jim has been on the front lines of the very complex and difficult process of building real companies. He has put his company's payroll on his VISA and has raised millions in start-up capital. Complementing his entrepreneurial and capital investment is his Management Consultant designation (CMC) along with a Bachelor of Commerce in accounting and an MBA in Finance. With this Jim understands both the accounting and the real balance sheets of the companies with whom he engages.  With Jim's recent work he has come to appreciate that some of the best technologies, innovations and breakthroughs will come from places in our global economy where we least expect.  At this stage of his life, Jim is delighted to be able to freely move about the world but he is keen to the challenge of our local innovation ecosystems. He can work from anywhere. He has traveled extensively throughout the world and is naturally empathetic and culturally sensitive.  Jim is open to new approaches to compensation and reward where risk is matched with return. He wants to generate wealth that includes new experiences, social good and being part of a change agenda for a global firm.   Jim looks forward to the next decade of establishing new ways of working – for himself and for the large, medium and small companies he will engage with across the world. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Episode 32 of the LIBI Podcast with Jim Gibson Jim Gibson Author Jim Gibson on Twitter SAIT SADT Show Quotes: "in those situations you have to really be confident. And I I'll tell you, the first year was challenging, but it turns out it was not challenging because the institution was not like me or I wasn't like them. We are standing up a brand new school in the middle of a pandemic." "I don't wanna get too controversial here, but in rainforest philosophy, you gotta give before you take, and so this was a perfect catalyzing opportunity." "I'm leaning in hard on that one as a cross initiative to say, how do we build? And, students with this notion of being a better digital citizen. What does that mean? So every SAIT graduate comes out and goes I understand what it means to be agile, to be, you know safe and secure" Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Hamid Rafiei was one of those kids that loved to take things apart, figure out how they worked, and sometimes successfully put them back together with some new features that didn't exist before. This lead him to a career working with manufacturing and automation where he currently holds the role of VP Manufacturing for CoolIT Systems. Learn about implementing robots to automate a production line and the benefits of onshore manufacturing in this episode. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf. Guest: Hamid Rafiei Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering  As the Vice President of Manufacturing, Hamid drives production and manufacturing engineering teams for new product, process introductions, and integrated automation ensuring a smooth and efficient transition from design engineering to manufacturing production. His valuable leadership to his team guides the efficient development and implementation of product and process improvements of new and existing DLC products. Hamid is focused on a continuous improvement mindset. He firmly believes in measuring the effectiveness of processes, studying trends, and improving the manufacturing process for the journey towards zero defects & perfect on-time performance. Hamid is focused on a continuous improvement mindset. He firmly believes in measuring the effectiveness of processes, studying trends, and improving the manufacturing process for the journey towards zero defects & perfect on-time performance. Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show. Show Links: Episode 30 of the LIBI Podcast with Brydon Gierl CoolIT Systems Show Quotes: "Seeing how fast things move. That was the first learning point for me coming from a very large  multibillion dollar company and seeing how the business is running there, joining a smaller company who's growing increasingly fast." "There were some funny moments during that implementation and we finally find out that some of the things you can make it easier by just going to something as simple as a gravity conveyor instead of a robot that you would be able to place a component, have it travel from point a to point B" Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

The internet has come a long way since it first began. What started as a hodge podge of individual web pages has transformed into the interactive web2 that we know today. With web3, the internet is taking yet another step forward by decentralizing ownership. This means that nobody owns anything - it belongs to everyone. You get to decide what information you give away, rather than having to give up personal data in exchange for access to a service. Al and Colin are on a mission to help 1 million Canadians understand web3 and crypto. Hear them explain how this new version of the internet has the potential to change our world and economy for the better.

Take a dive into the art of Calgary photographer Al Del Degan as we explore his portfolio and learn his simple technique for perfect silhouettes.