Podcasts about Product innovation

We're talking about either the terrifying or totally mundane new world of "vibe coding" - using AI to generate code without deep technical expertise. Joining Product Manager Brian Orlando and Enterprise Business Agility Coach Om Patel for this podcast, we're happy to welcome back to the podcast Lenar Mukhamadiev, CEO of iDelsoft (https://idelsoft.com)!Listen as we discuss how this trend is changing product development, software engineering careers, and business innovation. Stick around while we argue over resistance, how vibe coding enables faster market testing and many more points, including:Accelerating time-to-market for new ideasEvolving role of professional developersUnderstanding business problems is more valuable than codingEmergence of "product engineers," or notA future where everyone is a software creator#AIinTech #ProductDevelopment #FutureOfWork= = = = = = = = = = = =YouTubeSubscribe on YouTubeAppleSpotify= = = = = = = = = = = =Toronto Is My Beat (Music Sample)By Whitewolf (Source: https://ccmixter.org/files/whitewolf225/60181)CC BY 4.0 DEED (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)

In this episode of Getting to Aha!, host Darshan Mehta interviews e-commerce expert Neil Twa, CEO of Voltage Holdings. Neil shares his journey from corporate life at IBM to building Amazon FBA brands, generating over $100 million in sales. He discusses the power of product innovation over invention, how to find high-margin opportunities, and why premium pricing is essential for long-term success. Listeners will gain actionable insights into building scalable e-commerce brands and navigating Amazon's competitive marketplace.

Product innovation in banking faces significant challenges, including legacy systems, regulatory constraints, risk aversion, and the need to balance digital transformation with traditional services. In this episode of Banking Transformed, we explore the dynamic landscape of banking product management with Puneet Chhahira, VP and Head of Product Management and Marketing at Infosys Finacle. Our conversation reveals how financial products are evolving beyond traditional services to meet changing customer expectations and technological possibilities. Puneet shares valuable insights on how banks can foster innovation cultures, accelerate digital transformation, and effectively implement AI technologies to enhance both product development and customer experiences. We also discuss the critical role leadership plays in driving these changes and how banks can balance technological advancement with human-centered design principles.

 Lex chats with Avlok Kohli - the CEO of AngelList, about the company's significant evolution. Initially a platform for startups to connect with venture capitalists, AngelList has transformed into a comprehensive fintech entity encompassing private equity and cryptocurrency. Avlok discusses the strategic pivots, including the introduction of syndicates and rolling funds, that have redefined the company's business model. The episode also explores the broader implications of crowdfunding and the unique challenges in the crypto space, offering a deep dive into AngelList's impact on the financial services industry. Notable discussion points: 1. AngelList's Second Founding: Reinvention as a Fintech Platform: Since 2019, AngelList has transformed from a mixed-use startup platform into a focused fintech infrastructure business for fund managers. Avlok Kohli spun out the syndicates arm and built a scalable product offering that includes SPVs, venture funds, and innovative structures like Rolling Funds and Roll Up Vehicles. This pivot catalyzed explosive growth—from ~$1B in AUM in 2019 to $171B+ today—by enabling fund creation and deployment at scale. 2. Product Innovation as a Strategic Advantage: Instead of competing with well-capitalized incumbents like Carta on sales and marketing, AngelList focused on building category-defining products. The launch of Rolling Funds—allowing fund managers to raise publicly and continuously—was a breakout moment. It created viral word-of-mouth growth and redefined how emerging fund managers could access capital, illustrating the principle: “You can't win by playing someone else's game.” 3. AI and the Future of Private Markets Infrastructure: AngelList is embedding AI across three strategic layers: (1) Back-office automation, replacing manual workflows, (2) Customer service enhancement, enabling agents to respond to LPs with real-time data, and (3) Data reasoning products, like Fin, which analyzes anonymized fund and secondary data to deliver actionable private market insightsThis positions AngelList not only as an admin platform but as a data intelligence layer over the private capital markets. MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION Topics: Fintech, Web3, Venture, VC, Venture capital, private markets, fundraising, crowdfunding, crypto, web3, AI, Angellist, Coinlist, Carta, Gumroad ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT 

What happens when your personal mission becomes the foundation of your business strategy and legacy?   In this episode of Million Dollar Relationships, Kevin sits down with entrepreneur and visionary Sam Vandervalk to explore how mission, personal growth, and relationships shape business success. Sam shares his evolution from fishing guide to multi-business founder, revealing how SEO, hospitality, and systems thinking propelled his ventures forward. The conversation dives deep into the purpose behind Sam's newest project—an AI-driven adventure booking platform—and his passion for experiential mastermind retreats that help entrepreneurs clarify their purpose and legacy. Through his journey, Sam underscores the importance of meaningful relationships and staying grounded in a larger mission.     [00:01 - 05:14] A Solid Start and the Power of Relationships Why relationship-building platforms like Interview Valet create opportunities The importance of being introduced by people who understand your mission How Kevin identifies guests aligned with his podcast values   [05:15 - 10:37] From Salmon to SEO: Building a Business the Hard Way What drove Sam to launch a fishing business while still in college How early SEO wins helped scale his company The significance of testing bold guarantees in client service   [10:38 - 15:57] Product Innovation and Vertical Integration Why offering full-package fishing experiences changed the game How controlling accommodations helped optimize customer flow The importance of leveraging digital tools for long-term growth   [15:58 - 20:00] | Adventure Mastermind and Defining Your Mission What makes experiential masterminds different from typical retreats How Sam ties legacy into his business vision The need for entrepreneurs to define a mission others can carry forward   [20:21 - 26:15] | Legacy, Systems, and Growth Through Relationships Why personal development is crucial for leadership The role of Sam's brother Ray in shaping his business thinking How relationship-driven decisions can lead to long-term impact       Connect with Sam:   Website: https://www.SamVandervalk.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samvandervalk  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sam.vandervalk.5      Honoring: His brother Ray     Key Quotes:   “If I passed away today, someone else has to carry my mission.” - Sam Vandervalk   “When you have a mission and a vision, and you convey that to the right people, they will run with it.” - Kevin Thompson       Thanks for tuning in!   If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!    Find me on the following streaming platforms:   Apple Spotify Google Podcasts IHeart Radio Stitcher

Can you truly create breakthrough innovations with a systematic approach? In this podcast hosted by VNS Health Product Director Mark Bailes, Strategyn Founder & CEO Tony Ulwick speaks on making product innovation predictable. Tony shares his groundbreaking Jobs to Be Done theory and reveals how companies can increase their innovation success rate by understanding customer needs at a deeper level.

We talk to Meghan Klee about the importance of forecasting in risk mitigation and utility resourcing, the challenges of gender and generational barriers in the workplace, and the importance of balancing soft and technical skills.Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2025 American Meteorological Society

In this conversation, Jen Brush, VP of Innovation and Product at Guayaki, discusses the origins and benefits of Yerba Mate, the evolution of Guayaki's product offerings, and the brand's commitment to sustainability and community. The conversation explores the challenges of navigating the beverage market, building brand loyalty, and the exciting transition to the new brand name, Yerba Madre, which reflects the company's mission and heritage. We touch on the brand's commitment to shade-grown Yerba Mate, which takes more time and money but yields a better product and is better for the environment than sun-grown Yerba Mate. Jen also shares her personal journey with Lupus and how it influences her perspective on innovation and the food industry. We then wrap up by talking about the growing tea movement and the importance of a people-centric business model in creating a better world. Takeaways:Yerba Mate is a unique, naturally caffeinated leaf with health benefits.Guayaki, now Yerba Madre, prioritizes sustainability and community relationships.The brand aims to make Yerba Mate accessible to all consumers.Product innovation is guided by consumer preferences and market trends.Building brand loyalty is essential for success in a competitive market.The convenience store channel presents new opportunities for growth.Guayaki's, now Yerba Madre's, bright yellow branding helps it stand out on shelves.The company has a strong community of brand ambassadors.The transition to Yerba Madre reflects the brand's evolution and heritage, and aims to enhance brand recognition.Focus on product quality is key to retaining customers.Shade-grown Yerba Mate is better for the environment and flavor.A people-first approach leads to positive business outcomes.The tea industry is experiencing significant growth and innovation.Personal health experiences can shape professional perspectives.Collaboration and partnerships are key to impact initiatives.Continuous improvement is essential in business practices.Community engagement is vital for a better world.Kindness and empathy can create a positive impact. Sound Bites:"Yerba Mate is a naturally caffeinated leaf.""It has both caffeine and theobromine (found in chocolate), and offers a more smooth form of energy with less jitters and less crash. So it's a magical leaf and tree."“My goal is to create products that have a little bit for everyone. If we're going to drive awareness about our brand, our mission – the devotion we have to our people and our Yerba Mate – we want to meet people where they are, right?”“Our Ambassadors are brand loyalties. They'll tell you that Guayaki has changed their life. Not just the products, but the brand and what we've done and where've we've been.”"Yerba Madre means mother herb in Spanish.""The more the merrier in the Yerba Mate category. We want to build a category and we want more people to know about the magic of Yerba Mate.”"She told me to always lead with yes. And she would say, yes is the answer.”"I think a better world really puts people at the center of what you do and how you think. Be kind and empathetic. I think that that trickles down organically.” Links:Jennifer Brush on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-brush-05a8444/Guayaki, now Yerba Madre - https://yerbamadre.com/Yerba Madre on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yerbamadre/Yerba Madre on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@officialyerbamadreYerba Madre on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@drinkyerbamadreYerba Madre on Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/OfficialYerbaMadre/Yerba Madre on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/yerba-madre/…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio Chapters:03:00 - Introduction to Yerba Mate and Guayaki, now Yerba Madre06:05 - The Unique Flavor and Health Benefits of Yerba Mate08:55 - Guayaki's, now Yerba Madre's, Product Evolution and Innovation Strategy12:05 - Navigating the Beverage Market and Retail Challenges15:12 - Building Brand Loyalty and Community Engagement18:02 - The Future of Guayaki: New Branding (Yerba Madre) and Product Launches35:05 - Rebranding and Heritage in Yerba Mate38:31 - Sustainability and Impact Initiatives42:07 - Regenerative Practices and Biodiversity45:09 - People-Centric Business Models52:25 - Personal Insights and Industry Trends60:23 - Advice and Personal Favorites

In this conversation, Vilma Livas, Chief Marketing Officer at Nature's Bakery, discusses the brand's purpose of providing healthier snack options for families and the importance of convenience, taste, and value in their product development process. We touch on the impact of the company's acquisition by Mars and how it has allowed for growth and innovation, particularly with new products like the Oatmeal Crumble and Hearty Bar. Vilma shares insights into her consumer-centric approach to product development and the importance of both consumer insights and retail partnerships in launching new products in the CPG industry. She shares the background behind the development of Nature's Bakery's newest innovation — the Hearty Bar. Then we wrap up by discussing Vilma's involvement with Women on Boards, advocating for greater representation of women in leadership roles, and her vision of a better world which includes democratizing access to healthy food options for all consumers. Takeaways:Nature's Bakery aims to nourish families and make healthy snacking accessible.The brand focuses on convenience, offering products that are easy to consume on the go.Consumer research revealed a full family audience for their snack bars, from toddlers to grandparents.The product design emphasizes great taste and better-for-you attributes.The acquisition by Mars has provided resources for scaling and innovation.Nature's Bakery maintains a commitment to its brand purpose despite ownership changes.The product development process starts with identifying consumer needs and iterating ideas.Collaboration with diverse teams enhances creativity in product development.The Oatmeal Crumble was developed to address the need for convenient breakfast options.A consumer-centric approach is crucial for successful product innovation. It's crucial to put personal bias aside for better outcomes.Retailers have their own goals that must be understood.Empathy in business relationships leads to better partnerships.Involving retailers early in product development increases success.Healthy snacks must appeal to both parents and children.Women are underrepresented in board positions despite their influence.Accessibility to healthy food is a significant issue.Consumer demand drives the need for better food options. Sound Bites:“Everything we do is this balance of three things that we hold dear: 1 - great taste; 2 - better-for-you; and 3 - accessibility.”“Start with the consumer. What's the job to be done? What is the problem we're trying to solve here?”“Being owned by a much larger organization has allowed us to accelerate the rate at which we can scale.”“Stay focused on the goal, not the path that we're taking to get there.”"Retailers are gatekeepers to the shelf.""Be empathic, show up and learn.""Kids are very discerning about their snacks."“If you think about the purchasing power of women, you would expect to see that they also influence the direction and course of companies, but they're not at the table.”“A better world is one where we've democratized better for you food, by making it available and accessible to all.” Links:Vilma Livas on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vdlivas/Nature's Bakery - https://naturesbakery.com/Nature's Bakery on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/naturesbakery/Nature's Bakery on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/naturesbakery/Nature's Bakery on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@naturesbakeryNature's Bakery on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@naturesbakery1316Nature's Bakery on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nature-s-bakery/…Women on Boards - https://www.wobproject.com/Women on Boards on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wob-project/…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio Chapters:03:00 - Introduction to Nature's Bakery and Brand Purpose06:03 - Understanding the Family Focus in Healthy Snacking08:58 - The Importance of Convenience and Product Design12:12 - Balancing Taste, Value, and Health in Product Development14:55 - Navigating Brand Growth and Acquisition Challenges18:07 - Leveraging Resources from Larger Corporations21:08 - Innovations: Oatmeal Crumble and Hearty Bar23:51 - The Product Development Process Explained26:56 - Iterating Ideas and Consumer-Centric Design32:30 - Consumer Insights and Retail Partnerships38:12 - Innovating with the Hearty Bar43:28 - Empowering Women on Boards48:38 - Personal Favorites and Future Trends53:47 - A Better World Through Accessible Food

"If you're going to find something, think of building this for the next 20 years. Think very long term." This powerful advice from Tarun Mathur underscores the importance of long-term vision in entrepreneurship, reminding founders that enduring companies aren't built overnight but over decades. Tarun Mathur is the Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer at Policybazaar for Business, India's leading online insurance marketplace. With an impressive 17-year journey since co-founding the company in 2008, Tarun has been instrumental in its growth, including the launch and leadership of its B2B arm, Policybazaar for Business. His experience spans analytics, revenue management, strategic initiatives, and various insurance verticals within the company. Key Insights from the Conversation:

Brian Garofalow Chief Executive Officer at SkullcandyOn this episode of Group Y Live, join host Oli Russell-Cowan as he sits down with Brian Garofalow, the CEO of Skullcandy and a legend in the action sports industry.In this episode, Brian shares his incredible journey from the early days of the action sports scene to leading a prominent audio brand. He discusses the challenges of reviving Skullcandy, the importance of understanding their core audience, and the need for adaptation in a rapidly changing market.Discover how Skullcandy is engaging with communities through sponsorships, events, and collaborations, and learn about their innovative internal processes and strategic focus. Brian also reveals an exciting new product launch and partnership with Bose that aims to bring premium audio to the masses at an accessible price point.Key topics covered in this episode:Brian's background in the action sports industryThe evolution of Skullcandy and its brand strategyEngaging with core audiences: active consumers, content creators, gamersThe significance of community engagement and eventsInsights into product innovation and market adaptationSneak peek at the Method 360 ANC headphones & the partnership with BoseYou can follow what Brian Garofalow is up to on LinkedInLike what you hear?  Please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference.The Group Y Live Podcast come out across all podcast players with a new episode every two weeks on Thursday. Past guests on The Rad Season Show include Truls Brataas, Stacy Peralta, Wim Hof, Mike Cessario, Nick Tran, Gerry Lopez and more.Contact Oli Russell-Cowan On Instagram olirussellcowan On LinkedIn at olirussellcowan Thanks for listening & keep it rad!

#updateai #customersuccess #saas #businessJon Johnson and Josh Schachter sit down with Brett Queener, Managing Director at Bonfire Ventures, to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of software companies in the age of AI. Brett shares his thoughts on the future of SaaS, the importance of speed and innovation, and the critical role of product marketing.They dive into founders' challenges and anxieties in today's "change economy," where software evolves at warp speed, and discuss what it takes to build a defensible business amidst ever-growing competition.Join us as Brett provides insights on how startups can thrive by truly solving customer problems and staying ahead in the AI-driven tech landscape.Timestamps:0:00 – Preview, Intros & BS2:22 – Bonfire & Brett's Blog: Tales from The Bonfire6:55 – Predictions & Observations: AI's Influence on SaaS13:07 – Running a Software Company Amid Rapid Change16:33 – Applying Jobs-to-be-Done Framework17:50 – Innovation Pace vs. Continual Adaptation24:45 – Product Innovation, Value, and Market Differentiation28:45 – Investor Perspective and Guidance for Startups36:38 – Evaluating Startups___________________________

Dal Perio is a Senior Manager of Sensory & Product Insights at Starbucks, with 30 years of experience in Sensory Science, Consumer Research, and Marketing Research across seven Fortune 500 companies including Johnson & Johnson, Diageo, and Unilever.   His expertise spans Product Innovation, Consumer Research, Quality Assurance, and Product Testing. At Starbucks, he focuses on Sensory & Product Insights for various channels, ensuring optimal research solutions. He's actively involved in numerous professional sensory organizations and was mentored by Rose Marie Pangborn.   To be put in touch with Dal, please contact Aigora. To learn more about Aigora, please visit www.aigora.com

Are you curious about how top product leaders drive innovation across different industries? In this podcast hosted by Justin Leibow, Shopify Fmr Head of Product Vaarrun Bimbhat will be speaking on scaling product development through deep customer understanding. Vaarrun shares insights from his journey across insurance, e-commerce, and tech, revealing how curiosity and customer empathy can transform product strategy.

Join us on this episode of the Maffeo Drinks podcast, where Chris Maffeo chats with drinks industry legend David Gluckman about the fascinating world of drink innovation and product development. David shares insights from his recent book (That Sh*t Will Never Sell), offering a look back at the history and evolution of the drinks industry.The conversation covers iconic brands he created like Bailey's, Ciroc, and Tanqueray Ten, product ownership's importance, and consumer research's often flawed nature.David also discusses how great brands can be built without conventional testing and the critical role of liquid excellence. Tune in for an engaging discussion that blends business acumen with the art of drink creation.The discussion provides insights into the importance of ownership, consumer behavior, and the significance of product distinction in brand building. David also emphasizes the value of real-world testing over consumer research, reflecting on his approach to developing iconic spirits.Aspiring brand builders and drink enthusiasts will find valuable lessons in this engaging conversation.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:29 Guest Introduction: David's Journey01:19 The Bailey's Story: Market Research and Success04:43 Brand Development Philosophy09:36 Challenges in Spirits Marketing12:38 Product Innovation and Differentiation25:44 Ownership and Long-Term Brand Building32:07 Conclusion and Farewell

Should the Apple Vision Pro qualify as a wearable? Chuck Joiner, Brittany Smith, David Ginsburg, Brian Flaingan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Mark Fuccio, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea  debate the issue, with most agreeing it does, though it's unlike traditional wearables such as the Apple Watch. They also discuss Sonos canceling its rumored TV streaming box, viewing it as a smart move in a crowded market. Ideas are shared about how Sonos could better integrate home audio and video without competing directly with Apple or Roku, and some of the challenges of setting up a home theater.  This MacVoices episode is supported by Notion. Work faster, write better, and think bigger. Try it for free today at notion.com/macvoices. Show Notes: Chapters: 00:29 Apple Vision Pro Discussion 13:21 Sonos TV Streaming Box Cancellation 23:02 Home Theater Integration Challenges Links: The AmberMac Show Ep004: Trump on Crypto, Wearable Tech, & the Future of Work https://ambermac.com/the-ambermac-show-ep004-trump-crypto/ Sonos cancels Apple TV 4K competitor, per report https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/12/sonos-cancels-apple-tv-4k-competitor-per-report/ Guests: Web Bixby has been in the insurance business for 40 years and has been an Apple user for longer than that.You can catch up with him on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him on Twitter, by email at embolden@mac.com, on Mastodon at @eabolden@techhub.social, on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast. Brian Flanigan-Arthurs is an educator with a passion for providing results-driven, innovative learning strategies for all students, but particularly those who are at-risk. He is also a tech enthusiast who has a particular affinity for Apple since he first used the Apple IIGS as a student. You can contact Brian on twitter as @brian8944. He also recently opened a Mastodon account at @brian8944@mastodon.cloud. Mark Fuccio is actively involved in high tech startup companies, both as a principle at piqsure.com, or as a marketing advisor through his consulting practice Tactics Sells High Tech, Inc. Mark was a proud investor in Microsoft from the mid-1990's selling in mid 2000, and hopes one day that MSFT will be again an attractive investment. You can contact Mark through Twitter, LinkedIn, or on Mastodon. Jeff Gamet is a technology blogger, podcaster, author, and public speaker. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's Managing Editor, and the TextExpander Evangelist for Smile. He has presented at Macworld Expo, RSA Conference, several WordCamp events, along with many other conferences. You can find him on several podcasts such as The Mac Show, The Big Show, MacVoices, Mac OS Ken, This Week in iOS, and more. Jeff is easy to find on social media as @jgamet on Twitter and Instagram, jeffgamet on LinkedIn., @jgamet@mastodon.social on Mastodon, and on his YouTube Channel at YouTube.com/jgamet. David Ginsburg is the host of the weekly podcast In Touch With iOS where he discusses all things iOS, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and related technologies. He is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users. Visit his YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/daveg65 and find and follow him on Twitter @daveg65 and on Mastodon at @daveg65@mastodon.cloud. Dr. Marty Jencius has been an Associate Professor of Counseling at Kent State University since 2000. He has over 120 publications in books, chapters, journal articles, and others, along with 200 podcasts related to counseling, counselor education, and faculty life. His technology interest led him to develop the counseling profession ‘firsts,' including listservs, a web-based peer-reviewed journal, The Journal of Technology in Counseling, teaching and conferencing in virtual worlds as the founder of Counselor Education in Second Life, and podcast founder/producer of CounselorAudioSource.net and ThePodTalk.net. Currently, he produces a podcast about counseling and life questions, the Circular Firing Squad, and digital video interviews with legacies capturing the history of the counseling field. This is also co-host of The Vision ProFiles podcast. Generally, Marty is chasing the newest tech trends, which explains his interest in A.I. for teaching, research, and productivity. Marty is an active presenter and past president of the NorthEast Ohio Apple Corp (NEOAC). Jim Rea built his own computer from scratch in 1975, started programming in 1977, and has been an independent Mac developer continuously since 1984. He is the founder of ProVUE Development, and the author of Panorama X, ProVUE's ultra fast RAM based database software for the macOS platform. He's been a speaker at MacTech, MacWorld Expo and other industry conferences. Follow Jim at provue.com and via @provuejim@techhub.social on Mastodon. Brittany Smith is a trained cognitive neuroscientist who provides ADD/ADHD, technology, and productivity coaching through her business, Devise and Conquer, along with companion video courses for folks with ADHD. She's also the cofounder of The ADHD Guild, a community for nerdy folks with ADHD. She, herself, is a self-designated “well-rounded geek”. She can be found on Twitter as @addliberator, on Mastodon as @addliberator@pdx.social, and on YouTube with tech tips.   Support:      Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon      http://patreon.com/macvoices      Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with PayPal Connect:      Web:      http://macvoices.com      Twitter:      http://www.twitter.com/chuckjoiner      http://www.twitter.com/macvoices      Mastodon:      https://mastodon.cloud/@chuckjoiner      Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/chuck.joiner      MacVoices Page on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/macvoices/      MacVoices Group on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/groups/macvoice      LinkedIn:      https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckjoiner/      Instagram:      https://www.instagram.com/chuckjoiner/ Subscribe:      Audio in iTunes      Video in iTunes      Subscribe manually via iTunes or any podcatcher:      Audio: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesrss      Video: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesvideorss

Financial inclusion remains one of the most pressing challenges in today's economy. Millions of Americans struggle to access basic financial services simply because they lack a credit history or have damaged credit. This gap in our financial system doesn't just create inconvenience – it perpetuates cycles of financial inequity that can last generations. In my latest episode of Tearsheet, I sat down with Julie Szudarek, CEO of Self Financial, a company working at the forefront of this challenge. Julie took the helm at Self just over a year ago, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience from companies like Groupon and Atida. Though fintech is a new arena for her, Julie's expertise in building customer-focused businesses is exactly what's needed to tackle financial inclusion at scale. “I've never done fintech before,” Julie told me candidly. “But what I bring to the table is a deep understanding of how to build customer-focused businesses that are sustainable over time.” Her mission at Self aligns well with the broader movement toward more accessible financial services: “We are only here to make outcomes for our customers better than before they started working with Self.” The Big Ideas Decoupling Secured Credit Cards for Easier Access. “We decoupled the secured card so customers don't need a credit builder account first. It's about reducing barriers.” The Power of Low Deposit and No Credit Check. “Our deposit is $100, and for many, there's no hard credit check. That makes it much less intimidating for people facing rejection.” Customer Education as a Core Focus. “About 65% of our customers say they had no financial education. So we focus on teaching them about interest, compounding, and managing credit.” Expanding Product Offerings to Keep Customers Engaged. “We were limited in what we offered. Now we're focusing on products that meet customers where they are and help them keep growing financially.” Partnerships to Reach More Communities. “Regions Bank and Pathway Homes are some of our key partners — together, we're helping more people build credit who might otherwise be left out.”

In this episode, Jodi talks to Benjamin Bargetzi, a leading expert in AI and brain interaction, about the convergence of neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and product innovation. They explore how these advancements are influencing marketing strategies and the development of SaaS platforms. Benjamin shares his insights on the future of platforms, shifts in buyer behavior, and the impact of technological innovation on the industry. Find Benjamin's book here. 

Sami chats with Tanu Chellam, Senior Vice President of Product at Seldon (https://www.seldon.io) and Chairperson of the Board at Atlas Rosetta (https://atlas-rosetta.com/), about her journey and career in the world of products. Tanu covers her journey from start to finish, from building websites as a teenager and her dreams of travelling, all the way through to her time at AutoDesk where she was instrumental in scaling one of their largest product's installation time from 8 hours, to 8 minutes. Learn how Tanu learnt to balance her working life and downtime, and how her definition of success and relationship to work has changed over the course of her career. — You can connect with Tanu over on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanuchellam/), where she would be happy to discuss anything mentioned in this episode in greater detail. Your host for this episode has been Sami Birnbaum. Sami can be found through his website (https://samibirnbaum.com) or via LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/samibirnbaum/). If you would like to support the show, head over to our GitHub page (https://github.com/sponsors/thoughtbot), or check out our website (https://podcast.thoughtbot.com). Got a question or comment about the show? Why not write to our hosts: hosts@giantrobots.fm This has been a thoughtbot (https://thoughtbot.com/) podcast. Stay up to date by following us on social media - LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/150727/) - Mastodon (https://thoughtbot.social/@thoughtbot) - Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/thoughtbot.com) © 2025 thoughtbot, inc.

I first met Ed Currenti in the sheep yards at Mount Hesse, over more than 15 years we've stayed in touch and followed each others journeys closely.Ed is the General Manager at Prestige Foods, in our chat he shares his journey from a city upbringing to a successful career in agriculture and food production. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the role of education in understanding food sources, and the innovative practices at Prestige Foods. The conversation highlights the significance of building relationships within the industry, the challenges of managing teams, and the future opportunities in food production. Ed emphasizes the need for better connections between producers and consumers, and the importance of storytelling in the food industry.I've known Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ed Currenti and His Journey03:03 Early Influences and Passion for Food05:37 Education and Career Path Decisions08:54 The Role of Mentorship in Career Development11:40 Transitioning from University to the Workforce14:37 Experiences in Sales and Business Development17:45 Innovative Ideas and Career Opportunities20:54 Management Style and Learning from Experience25:31 Navigating Challenges During COVID-1926:46 Transforming Company Culture29:01 Understanding Prestige Food Australia30:20 The Rise of Bone Broth31:59 Collaboration with Chef James Viles34:06 Bridging the Gap in the Food Chain35:16 Vision for Growth in Food Manufacturing36:10 Creating Links Between Producers and Consumers38:48 Innovative R&D Strategies39:55 Promoting Career Pathways in Agriculture43:55 Educating the Next Generation on Food Sources

Ali Alwattari from Kraton Corporation has been working in product innovation for over 33 years, spanning industries from consumer goods to biotechnology and energy. His passion lies in integrating the human dimension and storytelling into scientific work, accelerating innovation and tackling challenges from the lab to the market. He joins The Drip to share his creative process and reflect on the unique products he's developed over his career.In this episode, you'll hear about:How phenomena like the surface tension of water can drive innovation across industriesBalancing reasoning and logic with creativity, termed as "realistic imagination"Stories detailing the development of unique products like artificial spider silk and waterproof mascaraHow looking to nature and unrelated industries can inspire breakthroughs … and practical advice for those starting in product innovationJump to:(00:53) Ali's journey in product innovation across diverse industries.(03:46) The significance of the human dimension in scientific work.(07:22) Realistic imagination's role in innovation.(11:53) Ali's creative process and examples of innovative projects.(25:47) The future of innovation in the food industry(29:59) Resources Ali recommends(36:44) This episode's song recommendation.(37:29) This episode's mantra.Featured Artist and Song:Ease My Mindy by Chris LakeLinks mentioned in this episode:Kraton Corporation‘Disruptive Innovation' by Clayton Christensen'Rules for Revolutionaries' by Guy Kawasaki‘Entrepreneurs in High Technology' by Dr. RobertsViva La Vida by Coldplay, music was chosen by Ali AlwattariConnect with the showAQUALABZachary Cartwright, PhD00:00 Reusable Skills Drive Success04:26 Empathy and Emotion in Innovation08:46 Translating Concepts into Scientific Terms11:40 Nature-Inspired Water-Repellent Textiles15:52 Innovative Mascara Formulation Insights18:57 Dimples Revolutionize Gel Adhesion20:16 Shaving Gel Chemistry Evolution23:17 Simplified Product Development Framework27:00 Need-Driven Innovation in Food Industry32:31 "Professionalizing Innovation and Mentorship"35:46 "Product Innovation & Music Groove"37:49 Strength Over Struggle

In this episode, Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia interviews Karen Ng, Senior Vice President of Product and Partnerships at HubSpot.HubSpot is a leading software platform empowering over 184,000 businesses across 120 countries to manage their sales, marketing, and customer support teams. In 2024, HubSpot generated over $2.5 billion in revenue, driven by significant investments in Artificial Intelligence.Karen oversees critical products like Smart CRM, Operations Hub, and Ecosystem, while driving strategic partnerships and business development. Her technical expertise is notable, with three patents. She has also published research in stress detection, interactive health assessments, and robotic expressivity when she worked as a Machine Learning Researcher at MIT.In this episode, we'll explore Karen's approach to deploying AI Agents across HubSpot's product portfolio, her decision-making process for when to Build, Buy, or Partner, and her innovative approach to product org design. We'll discuss how product teams can leverage AI Agents to augment their impact and automate workflows, and how product leaders can elevate their roles as key drivers of revenue.What you'll learn:Karen's journey to becoming SVP of Product and Partnerships at HubSpot and her insights on the company's AI transformation.The challenges and strategies involved in creating a global, multi-product platform for businesses.How to prioritize features and innovations in a fast-paced, customer-centric environment.The future of business technology, including AI-powered tools and self-service products.Key Takeaways

Send us a textMiguel Armaza interviews Ryan Graciano, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Credit Karma, one of the most successful fintech companies serving over 130 million customers. Credit Karma was bought by Intuit for $7.1bn in 2020, marking one of fintech's largest acquisitions ever. Ryan began his journey as CTO after a brief stint at IBM and helped build Credit Karma from the ground up since 2007.In this episode, we discuss:Key technical decisions that shaped Credit Karma's successRyan's vision for the future of AI in personal financeLessons from raising capital and building the company during the global financial crisisHow to create excitement and drive organizational transformation... and a lot more!Want more podcast episodes? Join me and follow Fintech Leaders today on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app for weekly conversations with today's global leaders that will dominate the 21st century in fintech, business, and beyond.Do you prefer a written summary? Check out the Fintech Leaders newsletter and join 70,000+ readers and listeners worldwide!Miguel Armaza is Co-Founder and General Partner of Gilgamesh Ventures, a seed-stage investment fund focused on fintech in the Americas. He also hosts and writes the Fintech Leaders podcast and newsletter.Miguel on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nKha4ZMiguel on Twitter: https://bit.ly/2Jb5oBcFintech Leaders Newsletter: bit.ly/3jWIp

Kat Hantas is a co-founder of the multi-million dollar infused tequila brand 21 Seeds. She shares the inspiring entrepreneurship story of how she took her homemade infusions and forged them into a successful brand, highlighting the power of women supporting women and the importance of following your entrepreneurial dreams. The conversation explores the challenges and rewards of starting a business, the importance of knowing your audience, and how connection and collaboration can spark big ideas. Plus, Danielle reveals her exciting new collaboration with Kat on a fun card game, “Shot Callers.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to challenging the status quo in SaaS and product strategy, you can't fundamentally disrupt an industry without failing fast and pushing boundaries. On today's episode of LaunchPod, we're talking with Dane Molter, VP of Product and Strategy at Navan, an all-in-one travel and expense app for corporate travelers. In this episode, Dane talks about: His framework for driving product teams to “be brave,” ship faster, and attain huge goals Why perfect is actually the enemy of progress, and when good enough is actually good enough How to exceed the perceived boundaries of any solution, and deliver product that really disrupts the world Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dane-molter-6b937231/ Navan: https://navan.com/ Resources (Ethically) cheat your way to $250M+ | Mikal Lewis, Product Exec. (Whole Foods, Nordstrom): https://youtu.be/5txeT2U_YQo Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:06 Dane Molter's Journey From Amex to Grubhub 01:44 The Grubhub Experience: Embracing Imperfection 04:08 The Push for Hypergrowth in Product 05:19 Lessons in Product Risk and Innovation 06:59 The Bigger Picture: Product Beyond Technology 09:30 Focusing on Bravery in Product Innovation 12:12 Applying Product Lessons at Navan 17:50 Enterprise Travel Challenges and AI Solutions 19:53 Business Outcomes and Accountability 20:13 Learning Business Mechanics at Amex 26:15 The Importance of Small Tests in Product Testing 34:27 Navigating AI and Emerging Technologies 37:45 Outro Follow LaunchPod on YouTube We have a new YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/@LaunchPod.byLogRocket)! Watch full episodes of our interviews with PM leaders and subscribe! What does LogRocket do? LogRocket combines frontend monitoring, product analytics, and session replay to help software teams deliver the ideal product experience. Try LogRocket for free today. (https://logrocket.com/signup/?pdr) Special Guest: Dane Molter.

Yamini Rangan, CEO of HubSpot (a $40 billion leader in the CRM space) shares how AI is transforming go-to-market strategies, the key lessons Yamini has learned as a first-time CEO, and the sales tactics she's mastered.She also discusses the challenges of navigating major business pivots, including how companies can successfully transition into AI-first businesses and what it takes to stay competitive in an evolving landscape.(00:00) Intro(00:56) Yamini Rangan's Background and Career Journey(02:33) Joining HubSpot and Early Challenges(03:49) Transition to CEO and Leadership Insights(07:33) Strategic Planning and Long-Term Vision(15:15) AI Transformation and Product Innovation(18:57) AI's Impact on CRM and Future Prospects(28:51) Content Strategy and Customer Engagement(37:34) Contextual AI Features for Better Usage(38:13) Human Expectations and AI(39:36) AI in Daily Productivity(42:54) The Art and Science of Sales(51:05) The Role of Curiosity and Resilience in Sales(53:23) Evolving Company Culture(55:27) Leadership Style and Management Lessons(58:27) Scaling Startups: Lessons from Workday(01:02:54) The Future of AI and Incumbents(01:14:10) Concluding Thoughts Executive Producer: Rashad AssirProducer: Leah ClapperMixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA

In this episode, we're joined by Paul Young from the Pragmatic Institute. He shares insights into the organization's origins and core principles. This includes the importance of understanding user needs to ensure the success of products and services. 

Substack Week: Why Product Management is Broken and How to Fix It With Anton Zaides In this SPECIAL Substack Week episode, we dive deep into the current state of product management with Anton Zaides, a seasoned software engineer and leader. Anton shares his perspectives on why product management is fundamentally broken and offers practical solutions for organizations looking to improve their product development processes. The Journey to Engineering Leadership "I started to search for content from other engineering managers and focused on practical insights." Anton's journey spans 15 years in software engineering, from game development to DevOps and scaling startups. His transition to leadership revealed a gap in practical leadership content, which inspired him to start sharing his own experiences. Drawing from his four years as an engineering leader in a startup, Anton noticed patterns in product management that needed addressing, leading to his viral article on the topic. The Broken State of Product Management "My team was working on a feature, that got canceled the day after it was released." Product management faces several critical challenges in today's technology landscape. Anton identifies key issues including the development of unused features, increasing software complexity, and misaligned incentives that discourage innovation. Through his conversations with industry professionals, he discovered these problems were widespread, with teams frequently building features that get canceled or go unused. Despite following Agile methodologies, many organizations fail to properly evaluate feature impact, leading to wasted resources and frustrated teams. Product Managers vs. Program Managers "The PM spent only 5% of his time on talking to customers." One of the core issues Anton identifies is the transformation of product managers into glorified program managers. In many organizations, product managers spend most of their time managing JIRA tickets and dependencies rather than engaging with customers and driving innovation. The pressure to deliver on predetermined roadmaps, often dictated by executive teams, leaves little room for challenging assumptions or testing ideas with minimal scope. This shift away from customer interaction and strategic thinking has reduced the product manager's role to primarily managing internal processes. Fostering Better Product Management "PM's should be like a founder for the product business." To improve product management, Anton advocates for several key changes: Offloading program management responsibilities to the team Trusting product managers to make strategic decisions Requiring specific industry knowledge and experience Encouraging face-to-face customer interactions Moving product managers closer to commercial roles Involving engineers in customer conversations Organizational Structure and Communication "The more links you have in the communication chain, the worse the information gets communicated." Anton proposes a shift towards a more functional organizational structure where Product and Engineering work together more closely. He emphasizes the importance of direct communication between technical teams and customers, warning against over-reliance on data alone. The solution involves bringing everyone closer to the business side and creating stronger networks between organizations and engineers. Practical Implementation Tips "Get engineers to visit customers." Key recommendations for improving product management include: Involving engineers in customer and sales conversations Giving engineers visibility through release messaging and communications Establishing strong collaboration between engineering leaders and product managers Ensuring product managers have deep domain expertise Creating opportunities for direct customer interaction Treating product managers as business owners rather than project managers Recommended Resources for Further Study Anton's Article that we review in this interview: “Product Management is broken, a change is coming”  John Cutle's article on Product Manager's Responsibilities  Anton's Article on how to work effectively with your Product Managers A book recommendation: Empowered by Marty Cagan An episode of Lenny's podcast with Brian Chesky [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

Send us a textNik Sharma CEO of Sharma Brands, is the go-to strategist for scaling modern consumer brands. Dubbed 'The DTC Whisperer,' he has helped companies like Cadence, Levels, and JuneShine break through the noise with bold, data-driven marketing. With a sharp eye for brand storytelling and growth hacking, Nik's insights are reshaping how businesses connect, convert, and scale in the digital age.Connect with Nik! https://x.com/mrsharmaConnect with Ryan! https://twitter.com/RyanJAyalaConnect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/Chapters:00:00 Intro Who Is Nick Sharma?0:25 Creator vs. Business Owner Dilemma 1:25 The Power of Personal Branding3:09 How Influencers Get Away with Bad Business Models 4:32 Ad Spend & The Battle for Eyeballs 5:49 Winning with Product Innovation & Storytelling 7:03 Scaling from 0 to 100K Revenue 11:06 Finding the Right Agency 17:27 Ads vs. Affiliates – Which Works Best? 20:01 Paid Traffic – How to Not Burn Money 22:58 Breaking Down the Million-Dollar Growth Strategy23:18 When to Scale Beyond Ads 25:29 The Solopreneur E-Commerce Debate 41:27 The Future of AI in E-Commerce 43:45 Nick's Journey – From Ad Buying to Agency Owner 47:10 Lessons from Meeting E-Com Founders 48:56 Signing Off Connect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

Clean Beauty Series    Episode Description: “You also need a little bit of luck. You can make decisions, and they can cut both ways— you can make a decision and your brand goes through the roof, and you can make a good decision but it just didn't work and you can't recover from it. So you have to stick around long enough for luck to happen too. You just have to be patient.” —Kelly Kovack   The lines between wellness and beauty continue to blur, as innovative brands harness the power of functional ingredients and cutting-edge biotech to redefine what it means to look and feel our best. As the industry evolves, navigating the clean beauty landscape has become a minefield of misinformation and greenwashing, underscoring the need for transparency and scientific rigor. Yet, amidst the challenges, a new generation of experts and entrepreneurs are paving the way for a more sustainable, efficacious future. Kelly Kovack is the founder and CEO of BeautyMatter. With over two decades of experience in the beauty and wellness space, she is a respected thought leader known for her insights on the business of beauty. Tune in as Justine and Kelly dive deep into the impact of food on the beauty industry, the rise of biotech and clean beauty, the role of education, the future of expert-backed brands, the importance of ensuring legal issues in brand innovation, the importance of patience and perseverance, and more.  Meet Kelly:  Kelly launched BeautyMatter in the Fall of 2016 with the firm belief that in a fast-moving world, information is knowledge, but context matters. And more importantly, innovation comes from the cross-pollination of industries and expertise. She set out to use her experience building brands and scaling businesses to offer a new perspective and holistic approach to B2B content that filled a void in the beauty industry.   Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X YouTube Pinterest Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube     Episode Highlights: 02:04 Ingestible Beauty 08:17 Historical Context of Food and Beauty 12:13 Biotech in Beauty 20:04 Lawsuits and Legal Threats in Product Innovation 29:36 The Future of Clean Beauty 33:39 Doctor-Made Products and Brand Innovation  37:53 The Timeline of Building a Product

Ti Chang is a designer and cofounder of CRAVE, a brand known for pioneering pleasure jewelry. With a background in industrial design, she combines luxury with functionality to create innovative products that foster human connection and empower individuals to embrace their sexuality. Through CRAVE, Ti has redefined intimacy products, offering elegant and discreet designs that prioritize both beauty and personal empowerment.Follow Ti and her company:lovecrave.com@lovecrave@designerti_______Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A CoffeeThis show is powered by Nice PeopleJoin this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknowHave a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay_______ ____View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod

Tell us what you think! (SMS)Beena Miriam Scheer chats with Javier Fernández Poyo on Tukatalks. In this episode, Javier shares how to get out of your comfort zone, how to strategically implement technology for the benefit of your customers, and how to be humble, above all.Javier Fernández Poyo is an innovation expert with more than 15 years of experience in the retail sector. He is co-founder of Vangelis Tech Missions, to support and help the ecosystem in Cuba and the Caribbean in its development. He has worked in several relevant positions in the most operational areas of companies such as Decathlon and Desigual, in the latter as Director of Innovation, being the main precursor of the startup accelerator Awesome Lab. He has currently published his first book "The Innovation Manifesto" and develops his work as an independent expert in innovation and advisor to different startups and corporations, in addition to teaching and giving lectures.WATCH with English subtitles: https://youtu.be/YanIXcFuLwUEPISODE LINKS:"El Manifiesto de la Innovación" Book: https://www.amazon.com/Manifiesto-Innovaci%C3%B3n-Spanish-Javier-Fern%C3%A1ndez/dp/8410610973Vangelis Tech Missions website: https://vangelistech.org/FOLLOW BEENA:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beena-miriam-scheer-478b3a62/If you love Tukatalks, please leave us a five star review on Apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. FOLLOW RAM SAREEN:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tukatech/CONNECT:Website: tukatech.com/tukatalksYouTube: youtube.com/c/TUKATALKSNever miss an episode! Subscribe to the newsletter and get new episodes delivered right to your inbox.Tukatalks is the show where fashion industry experts share what NOT to do.

Thank you to Optimal Blue. Optimal Blue bridges the primary and secondary mortgage markets to deliver the industry's only end-to-end capital markets platform, helping lenders maximize profitability and operate efficiently so they can help American borrowers achieve the dream of homeownership. 

05th Feb: Blockchain DXB Podcast

Most early-stage founders I talk to are focused on getting their first customers, hiring their first employees, or maybe, if they're lucky, closing their first round of funding. But what happens after that? For Rohit Choudhary, the answer was building a whole new category. Rohit is the CEO and co-founder of Acceldata, a data observability platform that helps companies manage the complexity of modern data infrastructure. Before starting the company, he spent years inside the problem — working on data engineering challenges at Hortonworks and other enterprise tech firms. Like a lot of technical founders, Rohit didn't start out dreaming of being a CEO — but the problem was too big to ignore. In this episode, we talk about: Why data engineering lacked the right tooling and how that led to Acceldata How his team validated the concept with real-world customer pain points The trade-offs of building in stealth mode vs. in public What he's learned about hiring, scaling, and making the leap from engineer to CEO If you're trying to figure out how to go from technical insight to scalable business, this one's for you. RUNTIME 37:37 EPISODE BREAKDOWN (2:16) “ There are four of us co-founders, and we were all part of the same engineering team at Hortonworks.” (4:33) “ We felt that here was a unique opportunity for us to be able to build something really, really large and big.” (6:16) How Acceldata approached proof-of-concept programs in its early days. (8:23) “ How did you decide which one of you would become the CEO?” (11:31) Rohit's seed-stage recruiting strategy: “ we had to excite them with the long-term vision.” (14:35) “ People like me, we learned how to sell despite coming from an engineering background.” (16:46) Why the co-founders “took a leap of faith” by formalizing their sales process early. (18:46) “ We were familiar with how business is conducted in the U.S.,” which made expansion easier. (21:08) Early challenges they faced after closing a Series A. (23:08) How “a big mistake” from a previous startup still influences Rohit's choices today. (25:30) Wondering if it's time to throw in the towel? Do a self-assessment. (28:31) Three core skills engineers need to acquire if they want to become effective CEOs. (31:39) “ I used to interview almost everyone until we were at about, you know, 170-180.” (33:82) How creating a 10-year strategy informed their day-to-day decision making. (36:27) The one question he'd have to ask the CEO in an interview before he could accept an offer. LINKS Acceldata Rohit Choudhary, co-founder/CEO Ashwin Rajeeva, co-founder/CTO Gaurav Nagar, co-founder/Senior Architect Raghu Mitra Kandikonda, co-founder/Director of Engineering Lightspeed Venture Partners Acceldata Announces $50 Million in Series C Funding to Expand Market Leadership and Product Innovation in Data Observability (press release) SUBSCRIBE LinkedIn Substack Instagram Thanks for listening! – Walter.

On today's episode I am talking with the CEO of Sprinkles, Ashley Rogers. Ashley is an accomplished entrepreneur, brand builder, and mentor with years of experience in the CPG industry. Throughout her career she has built and sold four companies and is now the CEO of Sprinkles CPG, the sister company of the iconic Sprinkles Cupcakes. In this episode we dive into how to build a sustainable startup that will make it to the selling stage, importance of product innovation, tips for retail, fundraising, and so much more. This one is packed with tips for anyone already in the space or looking to start a business of their own. Enjoy!To connect with Siff on Instagram, click HERE.To connect with Siff on Tiktok, click HERE.To learn more about Arrae, click HERE. To check out Siff's LTK, click HERE.To check out Siff's Amazon StoreFront, click HERE. To connect with Ashley on Instagram, click HERE.To connect with Sprinkles on Instagram, click HERE. To shop Sprinkles Chocolates, click HERE.This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.Visit Sprinkleschocolate.com and use code DREAMBIGGER for 20% off your first purchase.Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Alt Goes Mainstream was live from $1.2T AUM asset manager Nuveen's nPowered conference, a two-day event bringing together Nuveen thought leaders and industry experts to explore challenges and opportunities in private markets.We interviewed some of Nuveen's senior leadership on site to hear their views and perspectives on private markets, working with the wealth channel, and product innovation.We sat down with Keith Jones, the Global Head of Alternative Investments Product for Nuveen, and a member of the Extended Leadership Team. He's responsible for the development and ongoing management of alternative investment products distributed through Nuveen's institutional, wealth management, and retirement channels globally.Keith and I had a fascinating conversation about product innovation in the wealth channel, how to educate and market products specifically designed for the wealth channel, and why it's not a “one-size-fits-all” approach.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus' technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Show Notes00:00 Introduction to Ultimus Fund Solutions01:55 Welcome to Alt Goes Mainstream01:58 Live from Nuveen's nPowered Conference02:19 Conversation with Keith Jones03:25 Keith Jones' Background04:04 Nuveen and TIAA Collaboration04:47 Keith's Role at Nuveen05:01 Product Innovation in Wealth Channel05:15 Structuring Products for Wealth Channel05:37 Client-Centric Approach at Nuveen06:59 Challenges in Structuring Products07:39 Credibility and Brand Importance09:36 Client Experience and Reporting09:46 Brand and Credibility in Product Creation10:40 Nuveen's Real Estate Focus11:38 Feedback from Distribution Teams12:33 Product Governance at Nuveen13:19 Institutional vs. Wealth Channel16:35 Evergreen Structures18:08 Operational Considerations18:51 FinTech Solutions in Structuring31:48 Future of Product Innovation32:20 Real Assets and Farmland33:25 Fee Compression in Alternatives36:13 Balancing Competing Forces36:51 Importance of Diversification38:34 Industry Collaboration for Change39:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts39:58 Closing Remarks

DMI's Chris Urban speaks with DMI's Scott Wallin about the new dairy product innovation, YoBark, created with General Mills. YoBark targets teens and tweens who tend to leave the yogurt category due to a desire for on-the-go, shareable snacks. The product was developed through consumer insights and testing, resulting in a stand-up pouch yogurt bark that is both indulgent and has a good nutrient profile. They will also discuss the overall partnership, including future innovations and premium yogurt offerings, emphasizing the importance of the checkoff's science through the National Dairy Council and checkoff's consumer insights in driving demand. To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com. Host & Guest: ·      Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc. ·      Guest: Chris Urban, Vice President of Global Growth Platforms & Partnerships, Dairy Management Inc.

While there's so much stress these days placed on chips and artificial intelligence, all the digital firepower in the world isn't going to create new products that people want. In this episode, Neil Stanley, Founder and CEO of The CorePoint, talks about how banks need to move beyond the rate sheets of old and start developing products for consumers living in an age of apps and e-commerce. He also touches on how banks, in responding to interest rate changes, can go beyond knee-jerk mentality and respond thoughtfully.

In this episode of Chew on This, Ron, Ash, and Ankit discuss their goals and predictions for e-comm in 2025. Key themes include the increasing difficulty of relying solely on paid advertising (especially on Meta), the necessity for product innovation and uniqueness to stand out in saturated markets, the growing importance of building an owned audience through creator collaborations and “building in public,” and the need for higher margins to support more diversified marketing strategies. They also touch on the challenges posed by evolving advertising platforms like TikTok Shop and Meta's changing policies regarding health and wellness brands.

Stephen Dubner, live on stage, mixes it up with outbound mayor London Breed, and asks economists whether A.I. can be “human-centered” and if Tang is a gateway drug. SOURCES:London Breed, former mayor of San Francisco.Erik Brynjolfsson, professor of economics at Stanford UniversityKoleman Strumpf, professor of economics at Wake Forest University RESOURCES:"SF crime rate at lowest point in more than 20 years, mayor says," by George Kelly (The San Francisco Standard, 2025)"How the Trump Whale and Prediction Markets Beat the Pollsters in 2024," by Niall Ferguson and Manny Rincon-Cruz (Wall Street Journal, 2024)"Artificial Intelligence, Scientific Discovery, and Product Innovation," by Aidan Toner-Rodgers (MIT Department of Economics, 2024) EXTRAS:"Why Are Cities (Still) So Expensive?" by Freakonomics Radio (2020)

It's an omni-channel world and we're just living in it! The retail media landscape is ever-changing and on this episode of The Garage, we're getting the inside scoop on what lies ahead from all the right sources. Tune into our year-end special as Shawn McGahee, Head of Retail Media Ads at Google joins host Dan Massimino and Evan Hvorka, Vice President of Product Innovation at Albertsons Media Collective to give us the download on the transformative power of technology and AI, Google's big bets for 2025, why we should all be keeping our eye on driving incremental ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) and the significance of Search Ads 360 in the retail media landscape. The conversation further shines a light on the shift towards managed and self-service solutions in retail media networks, the real ways in which consumers today shop, how flexible buying options can change the game and the potential for YouTube to be a shopping destination, with Shawn sharing impressive stats about product reviews and unboxing videos; specifically, how they can drive consumer engagement and loyalty.This episode of The Garage traces the changing nature of consumer behavior and how retail media networks can play a pivotal role in driving and redefining buying trends in the coming years, as well as how Google plans to enhance its offerings to better support brands and retailers in their marketing efforts.The future of advertising and retail marketing has never been more exciting! So, tune into this insight-packed year-end special and head into 2025 with all the know-how you need to stay ahead of the curve. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.LinkedInWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Innovation Storytellers Show, I sit down with Charlie Chappell, Vice President of Innovation, Research & Development at The Hershey Company, to explore what it takes to innovate in one of the world's most beloved brands. Charlie's journey is nothing short of fascinating, from his start in R&D at Kimberly-Clark, earning patents for his work, to shaping iconic brands like Pantene and Old Spice during his time at Procter & Gamble. Now at Hershey, he's leading the charge to bring bold new ideas to life. Charlie opens up about the joys and challenges of innovating in the food and beverage industry, particularly in confectionery. We talk about the creation of Shackalicious, a gummy line launched in collaboration with Shaquille O'Neal, and how Hershey partnered with Shaq to bring his larger-than-life personality into a product that's flying off the shelves. Charlie also dives into the innovator's dilemma—how to embrace change, take risks, and adapt without losing sight of what makes a brand iconic. This conversation is packed with insights on navigating trends, identifying what's meaningful versus fleeting, and having the courage to push boundaries—even when it means some ideas won't work out. If you're curious about how legacy brands like Hershey stay ahead of the curve and continue to bring joy to millions, this episode is for you. Tune in for a sweet discussion filled with inspiration, lessons, and plenty of chocolate. Let's innovate together!  

Even when product builders have a groundbreaking vision, it can often be thwarted by organizational roadblocks. In this episode, we explore how Air Canada successfully navigated some of these challenges to reimagine its customer experience and its ways of working. If you're a product leader wanting to do the same, this podcast will give you all the insights you need to get started.   Host: Kimberly Boyd   Guests: Ivana Ciric - Director of Product, Practice at Thoughtworks Jose Platero - Director of Product & Design at Air Canada  

Are fractional executives the future of leadership in tech startups? In this episode of Arguing Agile, Product Manager Brian Orlando and Enterprise Business Agility Coach Om Patel unpack the growing trend of fractional CXOs. We explore the benefits and trade-offs of hiring part-time executives, including:Access to high-level expertise and cross-industry experienceConsiderations for small and medium-sized businessesChallenges in building trust and managing multiple teamsRed flags to watch out for when hiring fractional CXOsThe importance of domain knowledge and product lifecycle understandingBalancing executive skills with hands-on product management experienceWatch or listen to learn how to identify red flags and make informed decisions when considering fractional leadership roles.#FractionalCXO #StartupLeadership #ProductManagement #AgileLeadership #TechIndustryTrends #OrganizationalStrategy #ProductInnovation #TechConsulting #StartupAdvice #ArguingAgile= = = = = = = = = = = =YouTube: https://youtu.be/PSiNQS0flJM= = = = = = = = = = = =Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8XUSoJPxGPI8EtuUAHOb6g?sub_confirmation=1Applehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/agile-podcast/id1568557596Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/362QvYORmtZRKAeTAE57v3AA197 - The Rise of Fractional CXOs: Pros, Cons, and Red Flags= = = = = = = = = = = =Toronto Is My Beat (Music Sample)By Whitewolf (Source: https://ccmixter.org/files/whitewolf225/60181)CC BY 4.0 DEED (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)

In this episode, Rachel Nilsson, CEO of Rags, shares her entrepreneurial journey, from selling handmade kids' clothing on Instagram to scaling her brand into a successful business. She recounts her early struggles, including financial hardships and navigating direct-to-consumer sales, which helped her develop a passion-driven, authentic approach to building her company. Rachel emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's vision, creating unique products, and embracing challenges, such as her appearance on Shark Tank. Her story highlights resilience, innovation, and the value of authenticity in connecting with customers and sustaining growth.    

Jenny Zegler, director, Mintel Food & Drink, shares insights from the research firm's 2025 consumer trends forecast. Hilary Thesmar, chief science officer and senior vice president of food safety at FMI, The Food Industry Association, discusses the challenges to implement the FDA Traceability Final Rule. Circana's Sally Lyons Wyatt explains why legacy food and beverage … Continue reading EP 51: Talking Trends With Mintel's Jenny Zegler, Traceability Rule Challenges, Legacy Brands Product Innovation →

Host Dave Sobel engages in a compelling conversation with Mark Haas, the CEO of the Helmsman Group, a company specializing in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Mark shares insights into how AI, particularly natural language processing (NLP), is transforming food regulation and safety. The discussion delves into the origins of their innovative platform, Regulate, which was born out of a need for a sophisticated data warehouse to manage the extensive documentation required in the highly regulated food and beverage industry.Mark explains that Regulate initially served as a static database to archive information but has evolved into a powerful tool for analyzing consumer sentiment. By leveraging open API connections from social media platforms like X, Reddit, and Amazon, the platform captures real-time discussions about products. This allows brands to gain organic insights into consumer opinions, preferences, and trends, moving beyond traditional focus groups that often suffer from confirmation bias. The episode highlights the importance of understanding consumer sentiment in a more authentic way, enabling companies to make informed decisions about product development and marketing strategies.One of the standout features of Regulate is its Consumer Sentiment Analysis module, which provides various reports to help brands understand consumer perceptions. Mark discusses how the platform generates word clouds, attribution reports, and centrality analyses to identify key themes and connections in consumer conversations. This data-driven approach not only aids in product innovation but also helps brands identify flavor trends and other market opportunities that resonate with consumers. By analyzing the interconnections of thoughts, companies can better align their products with consumer desires, ultimately leading to more successful market entries.The conversation also touches on the compliance aspect of the platform, emphasizing how Regulate assists brands in navigating FDA regulations. Mark explains that the platform can parse vast amounts of regulatory data to ensure that products meet compliance standards, thus reducing the risk of costly errors. The episode concludes with a discussion on measuring success, where Mark shares that the primary deliverable for businesses using Regulate is the ability to accelerate time to market while improving profitability. By streamlining the product development process, the Helmsman Group is helping brands achieve significant financial outcomes, demonstrating the transformative power of AI in the CPG industry. All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech

Kiva's products now reach 80% of the U.S. population.Think about that for a second.It's a testament to how far the cannabis industry has come and the progress being made. But, as with anything in the cannabis space, there are complexities, caveats, and unique challenges.For instance, in some markets, consumers can access products directly through D2C channels or dispensaries. While these channels can complement each other and drive brand loyalty, the rise of D2C may also create tension with retailers, who were once the sole point of purchase.This week, we sit down with Colin Keeler to break it all down and discuss: Hemp & Cannabis Strategy Minor cannabinoids they are testingInnovations & Consumer Preferences Guest Links https://www.kivaconfections.com/https://shopkivaconfections.com/https://x.com/kivaconfectionshttps://www.instagram.com/madebykiva/ Chapters:Introduction and Guest Background (00:00:00) - Bryan Fields introduces Colin Keeler from Kiva, and they discuss Colin's background. Colin shares his journey from investment banking to the cannabis industry, including a brief stint in psychedelic biotech.Kiva's Business Development Strategy (00:02:18) - Colin explains Kiva's approach to expanding into new markets, focusing on their strategy of targeting sizeable markets, working with partners, and being an early mover in different states.Product Innovation and Market Expansion (00:08:14) - The discussion centers on Kiva's product-led approach, highlighting their innovations in edibles like chocolate bars, gummies, and their focus on effects-driven products.Hemp Market Exploration (00:14:31) - Colin discusses Kiva's entry into the hemp market, explaining their cautious approach and how they're navigating the different regulatory landscapes across states.Pricing and Distribution Challenges (00:26:46) - The conversation explores the complexities of pricing in cannabis and hemp markets, including the challenges of maintaining consistent pricing across different states.Innovation and Future Outlook (00:33:09) - Colin talks about Kiva's focus on innovation, particularly around dosage, minor cannabinoids, and creating products that meet consumer wellness needs.Rapid-Fire Questions (00:42:05) - The hosts ask Colin a series of quick, fun questions about his dream smoking session, unique perspectives, and predictions for the edible market.  Our LinksBryan Fields on Twitter Kellan Finney on Twitter The Dime on Twitter At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared  global podcast The Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished. The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis Podcast Sign up for our playbook here:

Sometimes, you need to go the extra mile to make a point—like buying every medicine at CVS to show regulators that medicine can, and often does, have flavor. Sensible regulations should be rooted in logic, not outdated prohibition fears or baseless stigmas. If cannabis is legalized, it should be treated like any other industry, not one plagued by fear of being a shadowy boogeyman.This week, we sit down with Wendy Bronfein to dive into:Key Differences Between Maryland and Missouri's Cannabis MarketsEmerging Marketing Trends and Customer-Focused StrategiesInnovative Crohn's Disease Research and Product Development...and so much more. Chapters:Introduction and Background (00:00:00) - Brian and Kellen introduce their guest Wendy Bronfein, co-founder of Cura Wellness. Wendy shares her background in the television industry and how she transitioned into the cannabis space.Early Days of Maryland Cannabis (00:01:15) - Wendy discusses how her family became involved in the Maryland medical cannabis market, including their trip to Colorado and the process of applying for a license in 2015.Launching Curio Wellness (00:02:47) - The company won a license, built their facility, and became operational in 2017, shipping to licensed dispensaries in December of that year.Transition to Adult Use (00:03:07) - Maryland transitioned from medical to adult-use cannabis in July, with Wendy explaining the regulatory changes and market dynamics.Product Innovation and Research (00:33:59) - Curio Wellness discusses their approach to product development, including specialized products for sleep, mood, and potential medical treatments like a Crohn's disease tablet.Marketing Challenges and Regulations (00:25:16) - Wendy explains the marketing restrictions in Maryland compared to Missouri, highlighting the challenges of advertising in the cannabis industry.Personal Insights and Closing (00:42:33) - The interview concludes with personal questions about Wendy's dream smoking session, her views on branding, and her favorite ice cream. Guest Linkshttps://curiowellness.com/https://x.com/curiowellnesshttps://www.instagram.com/curiowellnessbrand/https://www.linkedin.com/company/curio-wellness/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeT6Sut8Wsi4Xr_o9uq0edQhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wbronfein/Our LinksBryan Fields on Twitter Kellan Finney on Twitter The Dime on Twitter At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared  global podcast The Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished. The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis Podcast Sign up for our playbook here: