Podcasts about TechCrunch

Rebecca is the founder and CEO of Glacier, a recycling startup building AI and robotics to help recyclers, brands, governments, and other stakeholders measure and improve recovery rates for their highest-priority recycled commodities. Glacier works with several innovative recyclers across the US, major brands including Amazon, Colgate-Palmolive, Coca-Cola, and AB InBev, and municipal and government agencies including the City of Phoenix and Michigan Department of Environment.Glacier's circularity work has been featured in several leading publications, including CBS, NBC, Fortune, Axios, and TechCrunch.Rebecca is a Waste360 40 Under 40 winner. Prior to founding Glacier, Rebecca was a consultant at Bain & Company and advisor to several early- and growth-stage startups. She is also a mentor for the Google Circular Economy Accelerator.⁠https://endwaste.io/⁠⁠https://nexuspmg.com/⁠

Some of the best campaigns don't come from massive budgets or high-gloss production. They come from leaning into what feels real. Currys' Gen Z ads are a perfect example: low-fi, deadpan, and unexpectedly brilliant.In this episode, we're unpacking what made this retail campaign a breakout success with the help of our special guest David Hooker, Director of Brand at Printful and Printify.Together, they explore what B2B marketers can learn from embracing scrappy creativity, building brand affinity over awareness, and trusting that great content doesn't need to sell a product—it just needs to make people care.About our guest, David HookerDavid Hooker is the Director of Brand at Printify and Printful. He's an experienced Creative Director and Brand Manager. Built the Prezi Evangelism and Creative Services teams. Seasoned speaker, including TED-X Talk (see below). David built the Brand and PR function at TravelPerk, securing coverage in Wired, TechCrunch, Sky News, Al Jazeera, Financial Times, Business Insider, Handelsblatt, Süddeutsche Zeitung, and the BBC. He's currently helping empower entrepreneurs at Printify and Printful. What B2B Companies Can Learn From Currys' Gen Z ads:You don't need a big budget to make standout content. Some of the most impactful marketing doesn't come from a fancy studio—it comes from a phone camera, an employee, and a smart idea. David says, “You don't have to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to make really good, great content that works.” Don't wait for budget approvals. Focus on originality and execution.B2B still means you're selling to people. Behind every buying committee is a group of humans—ones who laugh, scroll, and crave connection just like everyone else. David says, “You are B2B, but that B is a population of people… you can create great quality content that brightens up people's day, that generates awareness and an affinity for your brand.” Lead with humanity, not just logic.Ignore the naysayers—go make something people love. Not every campaign needs to hit every KPI to be worth doing. Sometimes the boldest ideas face the most resistance—and deliver the most impact. David says, “I'm sure there was someone in the meeting room… who went, ‘How are they gonna know where our stores are?' But the naysayer was wrong. If you make really great quality content that people connect with, enjoy—it's going to do good things for your marketing.” Make the thing. Publish the thing. Let the audience prove it out.Quote*“ You don't have to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to make really great content that works. Investing in the content and the quality of the content always pays off… Your B2B, but that B is a population of people, right? You've got an ecosystem of decision makers, but they're all human beings at least for the moment…You can create great quality content that brightens up people's day, that generates awareness and an affinity for your brand, without spending a lot if you focus on the content itself.”Time Stamps[00:55] Meet David Hooker, Director of Brand at Printify and Printful[01:08] Why Currys' Gen Z ads?[02:35] The Origin Story of Printful and Printify[09:32] The Power of Merch[13:38] The Demand for Personalization[24:11] Understanding the Currys' Gen Z Ad Campaign[33:11] B2B Marketing Lessons from the Gen Z Currys' Ads[40:41] Authenticity in Advertising[52:21] Advice for Brand Leaders[54:26] Importance of Visual LiteracyLinksConnect with David on LinkedInLearn more about PrintifyLearn more about PrintfulAbout Remarkable!Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com. In today's episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Head of Production). Remarkable was produced this week by Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK. Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise.

Amanda Silberling joins Mikah Sargent this week for Tech News Weekly! X is piloting the use of AI chatbots to generate Community Notes. The Supreme Court's porn ruling and what it means for internet privacy. Microsoft tests using AI to diagnose medical cases. And what's new with the Nothing Phone 3? Amanda shares the story she wrote for TechCrunch about how the social media company, X, is testing an AI program that can help generate Community Notes for its posts. Mikah talks about the Supreme Court's ruling on a Texas law requiring age verification to access adult websites and what this could mean for internet privacy in the future. Mikah also shares research that Microsoft conducted on utilizing AI to help diagnose medical cases that even expert physicians struggle to figure out. And Andrew Lanxon of CNET joins the show to talk about the Nothing Phone 3 and what he experienced from his hands-on with the device. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Amanda Silberling Guest: Andrew Lanxon Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: zscaler.com/security cachefly.com/twit

Amanda Silberling joins Mikah Sargent this week for Tech News Weekly! X is piloting the use of AI chatbots to generate Community Notes. The Supreme Court's porn ruling and what it means for internet privacy. Microsoft tests using AI to diagnose medical cases. And what's new with the Nothing Phone 3? Amanda shares the story she wrote for TechCrunch about how the social media company, X, is testing an AI program that can help generate Community Notes for its posts. Mikah talks about the Supreme Court's ruling on a Texas law requiring age verification to access adult websites and what this could mean for internet privacy in the future. Mikah also shares research that Microsoft conducted on utilizing AI to help diagnose medical cases that even expert physicians struggle to figure out. And Andrew Lanxon of CNET joins the show to talk about the Nothing Phone 3 and what he experienced from his hands-on with the device. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Amanda Silberling Guest: Andrew Lanxon Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: zscaler.com/security cachefly.com/twit

Amanda Silberling joins Mikah Sargent this week for Tech News Weekly! X is piloting the use of AI chatbots to generate Community Notes. The Supreme Court's porn ruling and what it means for internet privacy. Microsoft tests using AI to diagnose medical cases. And what's new with the Nothing Phone 3? Amanda shares the story she wrote for TechCrunch about how the social media company, X, is testing an AI program that can help generate Community Notes for its posts. Mikah talks about the Supreme Court's ruling on a Texas law requiring age verification to access adult websites and what this could mean for internet privacy in the future. Mikah also shares research that Microsoft conducted on utilizing AI to help diagnose medical cases that even expert physicians struggle to figure out. And Andrew Lanxon of CNET joins the show to talk about the Nothing Phone 3 and what he experienced from his hands-on with the device. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Amanda Silberling Guest: Andrew Lanxon Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: zscaler.com/security cachefly.com/twit

Amanda Silberling joins Mikah Sargent this week for Tech News Weekly! X is piloting the use of AI chatbots to generate Community Notes. The Supreme Court's porn ruling and what it means for internet privacy. Microsoft tests using AI to diagnose medical cases. And what's new with the Nothing Phone 3? Amanda shares the story she wrote for TechCrunch about how the social media company, X, is testing an AI program that can help generate Community Notes for its posts. Mikah talks about the Supreme Court's ruling on a Texas law requiring age verification to access adult websites and what this could mean for internet privacy in the future. Mikah also shares research that Microsoft conducted on utilizing AI to help diagnose medical cases that even expert physicians struggle to figure out. And Andrew Lanxon of CNET joins the show to talk about the Nothing Phone 3 and what he experienced from his hands-on with the device. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Amanda Silberling Guest: Andrew Lanxon Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: zscaler.com/security cachefly.com/twit

Amanda Silberling joins Mikah Sargent this week for Tech News Weekly! X is piloting the use of AI chatbots to generate Community Notes. The Supreme Court's porn ruling and what it means for internet privacy. Microsoft tests using AI to diagnose medical cases. And what's new with the Nothing Phone 3? Amanda shares the story she wrote for TechCrunch about how the social media company, X, is testing an AI program that can help generate Community Notes for its posts. Mikah talks about the Supreme Court's ruling on a Texas law requiring age verification to access adult websites and what this could mean for internet privacy in the future. Mikah also shares research that Microsoft conducted on utilizing AI to help diagnose medical cases that even expert physicians struggle to figure out. And Andrew Lanxon of CNET joins the show to talk about the Nothing Phone 3 and what he experienced from his hands-on with the device. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Amanda Silberling Guest: Andrew Lanxon Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: zscaler.com/security cachefly.com/twit

Amanda Silberling joins Mikah Sargent this week for Tech News Weekly! X is piloting the use of AI chatbots to generate Community Notes. The Supreme Court's porn ruling and what it means for internet privacy. Microsoft tests using AI to diagnose medical cases. And what's new with the Nothing Phone 3? Amanda shares the story she wrote for TechCrunch about how the social media company, X, is testing an AI program that can help generate Community Notes for its posts. Mikah talks about the Supreme Court's ruling on a Texas law requiring age verification to access adult websites and what this could mean for internet privacy in the future. Mikah also shares research that Microsoft conducted on utilizing AI to help diagnose medical cases that even expert physicians struggle to figure out. And Andrew Lanxon of CNET joins the show to talk about the Nothing Phone 3 and what he experienced from his hands-on with the device. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Amanda Silberling Guest: Andrew Lanxon Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: zscaler.com/security cachefly.com/twit

A Mexican drug cartel spies on the FBI using traffic cameras and spyware — because "ubiquitous technical surveillance” is no longer just for dystopian thrillers. Graham digs into a chilling new US Justice Department report that shows how surveillance tech was weaponised to deadly effect.Meanwhile, Carole checks the rear-view mirror on the driverless car industry. Whatever happened to those million Tesla robotaxis Elon Musk promised by 2020? Spoiler: they're here — sort of — but they sometimes drive into oncoming traffic.Plus: Leighton House, heatwave survival gadgets, and an unflushable toilet situation (not what you think).All this and more is discussed in the latest edition of the "Smashing Security" podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault.Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.Episode links:Mexican drug cartel hacker spied on FBI official's phone to track and kill informants, report says - TechCrunch.Audit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Efforts to Mitigate the Effects of Ubiquitous Technical Surveillance - US Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.Tesla driver tells police he was using 'self-drive' system when his car hit a parked police vehicle - AP News.‘Lidar is lame': why Elon Musk's vision for a self-driving Tesla taxi faltered - The Guardian.Tesla invited influencers to test its robotaxi. Here's what they had to say - USA Today Europe.Elon Musk Hails 'Successful' Tesla Robotaxis Launch in Austin Amid Reported Glitches - eWEEK.A Fatal Tesla Crash Shows the Limits of Full Self-Driving - Bloomberg.The Arab Hall at Leighton House.Spandau Ballet's “Gold” - shot at Leighton House!Shark FlexBreeze Fan With InstaCool Mist Attachment - Shark.Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)Sponsored by:Vanta– Expand the scope of your security program with market-leading compliance automation… while saving time and money. Smashing Security listeners get $1000 off!Trelica by 1Password- Access Governance for every SaaS app.

This week on Techish, hosts Michael and Abadesi chat about the solo "vibe coder" who sold to Wix for $80M, the Social Network sequel, the Microsoft–OpenAI drama, and why working a "low-status" job might help you be a better person.Chapters00:28 Six-Month Vibe Coder Gets $80M09:00 The Social Network Is Getting a Sequel17:59 Microsoft vs. OpenAI Feud Heats Up32:14 'Fascism Starts From the Standing Desk' [Patreon-Only]Take TripleTen's career quiz to get a free personalized career consultation! https://tripleten.com/techishExtra Reading & Resources6-month-old, solo-owned vibe coder Base44 sells to Wix for $80M cash [TechCrunch]'The Social Network Part II' In Works At Sony With Aaron Sorkin Set To Write And Direct; Pic Inspired By WSJ's 'The Facebook Files' [Deadline]OpenAI and Microsoft Tensions Are Reaching a Boiling Point [The Wall Street Journal, $]Watch Alec Flynn's video on why fascism starts from the standing desk [Instagram]Real Talk About MarketingAn Acxiom podcast where we discuss marketing made better, bringing you real...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show————————————————————Join our Patreon for extra-long episodes and ad-free content: https://www.patreon.com/techish Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@techishpod/Advertise on Techish: https://goo.gl/forms/MY0F79gkRG6Jp8dJ2———————————————————— Stay in touch with the hashtag #Techishhttps://www.instagram.com/techishpod/https://www.instagram.com/abadesi/https://www.instagram.com/michaelberhane_/ https://www.instagram.com/hustlecrewlive/https://www.instagram.com/pocintech/Email us at techishpod@gmail.com

Today's episode features an update on Threads getting separate Hidden Words, TikTok's version of Broadcast Channels, a new Social Network movie, and a clip from a new AI podcast.Are you ready to dive into the latest social media trends and updates that are shaping the digital landscape?  This episode of The Instagram Stories - Social Media News is packed with insights on new features and industry shifts that every social media marketer should know about.Join host Daniel Hill as he unpacks recent updates in the world of social media, including the exciting introduction of the Hidden Words feature on Threads.  This innovative feature empowers users by allowing them to block specific words, phrases, and emojis in their comments, enhancing user control over their experience.  Initially launched on Instagram, this feature is now making waves on Threads, giving users more autonomy in managing their interactions.  Daniel also shares the latest TikTok updates, specifically the new Bulletin Board feature that mirrors Instagram's broadcast channels, enabling brands to communicate directly with their audience in a more engaging way.As the episode unfolds, Daniel delves into the highly anticipated sequel to the movie "The Social Network," which will explore the Wall Street Journal's "Facebook Files" series.  This cinematic exploration promises to shed light on Facebook's controversies and the implications of social media on society.  Additionally, Daniel introduces a groundbreaking AI news podcast he is developing with Ashley Coffey, focusing on how AI is transforming the job application process and the current job market.  They discuss the challenges job seekers face when navigating applicant tracking systems and the increasing reliance on AI in recruitment processes, making this a must-listen for anyone interested in social media marketing and the creator economy.To wrap up the episode, Daniel highlights a new Google Photos feature that leverages AI to enhance photo search capabilities, making it easier for content creators to find and organize their media.  Whether you're looking to refine your Instagram DM strategies or keep up with the latest social media insights, this episode of The Instagram Stories - Social Media News is your go-to resource for staying informed on Instagram news updates, TikTok trends, and the ever-evolving landscape of social media.Don't miss out on these essential updates and strategies that can elevate your social media game!Show Notes:Sign Up for The Weekly Roundup: NewsletterLeave a Review: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@danielhillmedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads: Threads Now Has It's Own Hidden Words (Threads)TikTok: Bulletin Boards - like Instagram Broadcast Channels (Threads)Movies: Aaron Sorkin is making a sequel to "The Social Network" (The Verge)AI: Interview with LinkedIn CEO - Advice to Future-Proof Your Career (Techmeme)Google Photos: Google Photos merges classic search with AI to speed up results (TechCrunch) 

Welcome to a special emergency episode of the EUVC podcast, where Andreas Munk Holm sits down with Cathy White founder of CEW Communications and her star colleague and former tech.eu managing editor Dan Taylor —two of the most plugged-in voices in European tech media —to dissect the shocking news of TechCrunch Europe's closure and what's ahead.In this raw and real conversation, they unpack:Why TechCrunch's downfall signals something bigger in mediaWhat the rise of AI means for journalists, PR pros, and founders alikeAnd how Europe's startup ecosystem can—and must—take charge of its narrativeFrom the role of creators and newsletters to the shift from SEO to “LEO,” this one's for anyone building in, writing about, or pitching European tech.Here's what's covered:00:10 The Impact of TechCrunch's Closure on European Media06:33 The Future of Media in Europe10:30 The Rise of Entrepreneurial Journalism15:46 Navigating the New Media Landscape for Startups18:06 The Shift from SEO to LEO in Media Strategy23:13 Making Complex Ideas Accessible27:18 The Role of PR in the Age of AI29:31 The Importance of Human Touch in AI33:12 AI's Impact on Content Creation and Journalism39:37 The Future of Journalism and New Publications

Sean O’Kane, Senior Reporter of Transportation at TechCrunch, joins Jon Hasen to discuss how the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is questioning Ford and its hands-free BlueCruise technology.

We sat down and unpacked the messy, unfiltered reality of being a startup CEO.The kind no one tells you about. Not at panels. Not in TechCrunch puff pieces. And definitely not on LinkedIn.This isn't a “how I built this” highlight reel. It's what actually happens when you're juggling investors, layoffs, spin cycles, fundraising failures, and the kind of decisions that keep you up for months.We dig into why CEO life is less “Davos and private jets” and more “burnout, pressure, and zero control.” What it's like to be the person everyone expects answers from, even when you're not sure yourself. And why founders need less hype—and way more empathy.Never miss a new episode! Join our newsletter at revenueformula.substack.com(00:00) - Introduction (01:44) - Inside the minds of CEOs (06:47) - Transparency and communication (08:37) - Dealing with the worst problems (09:51) - Limited control and influence (10:59) - Fundraising challenges (15:54) - Financial realities of CEOs (24:57) - The emotional toll (27:24) - Decision-making pressures (37:16) - Final thoughts

OpenAI recently announced a $200 million deal with the U.S. Department of Defense, which has us wondering: Could this further strain the company's relationship with its biggest backer, Microsoft? After all, there have been numerous reports about growing tensions between the two companies, particularly as they become more competitive over enterprise deals. Today, on TechCrunch's Equity podcast, hosts Anthony Ha and Max Zeff discuss how the OpenAI/DoD deal reflects Silicon Valley's increasingly cozy relationship with the military and why industry leaders are calling for an AI “arms race.” Listen to the full episode to hear more highlights from the week, including: Whether it's a good thing that Vice President JD Vance joined Bluesky (and was briefly suspended) What it means that Wix acquired a six-month-old “vibe coding” startup for $80 million (and why Anthony hates the phrase “vibe coding”) A panel in which investor Ali Partovi and Cognition President Russell Kaplan discuss what technical talent means in the age of AI Equity will be back next week, so stay tuned! Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.  Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod.  Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We'd also like to thank TechCrunch's audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerhouse episode of The Voice of Retail, I sit down with Sharon Gai, an international keynote speaker, AI expert, former Alibaba executive, and recent keynote speaker on the stage at the Retail Council of Canada's STORE2025, for an illuminating conversation on the future of retail in the age of artificial intelligence. Joining from São Paulo, Sharon offers a global lens on how retailers must rethink customer engagement, merchandising, and data infrastructure to remain competitive. We begin by tracing Sharon's fascinating origin story—from her Canadian roots in Vancouver and her education at McGill to an unexpected recruitment by Alibaba. She takes us behind the curtain of Chinese tech culture, describing a world of intense work ethics, hyper-growth, and an ecosystem where AI doesn't just support retail—it drives it. Sharon explains how AI has evolved beyond personalization into what she calls "agentic AI"—systems that not only predict behaviour but act on a shopper's behalf. She warns that retailers who don't maintain pristine product data and detailed PDPs (Product Detail Pages) risk being invisible in LLM-powered answer engines like ChatGPT or Claude. We delve into the differences between Chinese and Western retail, highlighting trends such as the viral "blind box" concept and video commerce that thrive in digital-first cultures. Sharon also shares her learnings from a cross-cultural brand project with Huggies, emphasizing the power of creativity, unpredictability, and localized storytelling.The episode also features insight into a recent Retail Council of Canada panel Sharon led, with Canadian Tire's chatbot innovation and Showcase's trend-driven merchandising model serving as prime examples of AI-enabled transformation at home.Sharon leaves listeners with practical advice: embrace AI not just for customer-facing features but also as a powerful internal tool for cost-cutting and productivity. And beware of the trap of sameness—when everyone is using AI to write duplicate emails and social posts, true differentiation comes from creativity and strategic insight.Whether you're a retail exec, digital strategist, or tech-curious brand builder, this episode delivers a rich, global perspective on what's next for commerce—and what it takes to stay ahead.https://youtu.be/0zdLv0mz29YSharon Gai helps organizations do more with less using AI. In her tenure at Alibaba, she advised brands and heads of state in crafting their digital strategy with programmatic marketing and AI. She has worked with TEDx, Singularity University, UBS, Deloitte, Walmart, LVMH, Nestle, Coca Cola, Lenovo, and many others. She is in the AAE list of Top Keynote Speakers in 2023. She has appeared on Bloomberg, Reuters, ABC, CBC, CCTV, TechCrunch, Retail Asia, Wired, and The Next Web. She is the author of the book, Ecommerce Reimagined. Sharon has an Honors Bachelor's degree in International Development from McGill and a Masters in Information Management from Columbia University. When she is not speaking, she is jamming on electric keyboards with her band, writing jokes for her stand up comedy set or sharing tips on how to get ahead in AI at sharongai.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharongaiInstagram: https://instagram.com/sharong.ai   Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

AI investments hit $110 billion in 2024, and the funding landscape in 2025 is more competitive than ever. For early-stage startups, that means more money in the market but also more pressure to stand out. At TechCrunch Sessions: AI, Rebecca Bellan sat down with three experienced investors: Jill Chase, Partner at CapitalG; Kanu Gulati, Partner at Khosla Ventures; and Sara Ittelson, Partner at Accel. They broke down what they are really looking for when evaluating AI startups from seed through Series C. Their message to founders? Forget the perfect pitch. Focus on building trust, surviving the hype cycle, and being ready for copycats the moment you find product-market fit. Listen to the full episode of Equity to hear about: Why VCs say founders are over-indexing on pitch decks instead of relationships What it takes to go up against big incumbents without getting crushed Why consumer focus (and speed) still win, even in B2B AI How agents and automation are already reshaping the startup playbook Equity will be back Friday with our weekly news roundup, so stay tuned. Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.  Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes here. Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We'd also like to thank TechCrunch's audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John and Glen ruminate on a pair of major events reshuffling the fintech world- The Circle IPO's impact on venture funding, and the Big Beautiful Bill's unorthodox approach to throttling AI regulation. Also- John gets “spun out on quantum,” and admits a surprising change of heart regarding his outlook for AI.           Links related to this episode:   Glen's blog on the Circle and Chime IPOs: https://www.big-fintech.com/what-the-chime-and-circle-ipos-mean-for-fintech-investment/ The Senate alters the House budget provision curtailing states' ability to regulate AI: https://rollcall.com/2025/06/05/ai-regulation-moratorium-dropped-in-senate-budget-package/  Axios' story about AI's newfound ability to blackmail: https://www.axios.com/2025/05/23/anthropic-ai-deception-risk  CNBC's take on the Genius Act: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/13/what-the-genius-act-could-mean-for-crypto-and-other-investors.html  TechCrunch's recap of Chime's circuitous path to a successful IPO: https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/12/chime-almost-died-in-2016-turned-down-by-100-vcs-today-it-ipod-at-14-5b/  Pitchbook's take on the inevitability of Chime's “down round” IPO: https://pitchbook.com/news/articles/chimes-ipo-signals-down-rounds-are-here-to-stay     Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday July 9 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. Industry developments keep coming fast and furious- the CU Town Hall is the place to make sense of these items together. It's free to attend, but advance registration is required:  https://www.cutownhall.com/   Join us on Bluesky!  @bigfintech.bsky.social;  @154advisors.bsky.social (Glen); @jbfintech.bsky.social (John) And connect on LinkedIn for insights like the Friday Fintech Five: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

OverviewThis newsletter issue commemorates 20 years of TechCrunch, reflecting on its landmark influence in shaping the startup ecosystem and tech journalism since its launch in 2005. Beyond nostalgia, the content reveals key ongoing shifts in technology, venture capital, AI innovation, and market dynamics that continue to define the industry's present and future.Listeners will gain perspective on how TechCrunch grew from a simple Web 2.0 weblog to a foundational startup network hub, alongside insights into current critical trends such as AI's evolving role in venture capital and software development, Apple's design and AI strategy, evolving IPO markets, and debates around AI ethics. The combination of historical context and forward-looking analysis makes this a compelling episode for anyone interested in the tech industry's trajectory.Key Trend 1: The Enduring Influence and Evolution of TechCrunch as a Startup NetworkTechCrunch's founding vision was not only to report new Web 2.0 companies but to serve as a connective platform for entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators globally.It emerged as the definitive startup network akin to how Facebook shaped social networks, fundamentally influencing tech culture, funding, and ecosystem formation.Today, TechCrunch remains a vital resource, expanding its global footprint with strategic partnerships and deeper engagement in key startup hubs like Europe.Key Trend 2: AI's Growing Impact on Venture Capital, Software Development, and Industry StructureAI continues to reshape venture capital with strong focus on B2B operational tooling, platform/API-first startups, and developer-centric innovation.Large models and AI coding tools (e.g., vibe coding, integration in Xcode) signal a shift towards AI-assisted software creation workflows.However, challenges remain in reasoning capabilities of AI models, skeptical internal debates on AI safety, and ethical implications within leading tech firms.Strategic investments and valuation surges of AI companies, such as Anysphere's rapid growth and Meta's big bet on Scale AI, highlight intense competition for AI supremacy.Key Trend 3: The Resurgence of Public Markets and Shifting Investment Dynamics2025 has marked a reopening of the IPO window, especially favoring growth-stage B2B SaaS companies and innovative tech firms with strong fundamentals.High-profile IPOs like Circle and CoreWeave demonstrate renewed investor appetite, with smaller deals sometimes outperforming large ones.Secondary markets in venture capital are becoming primary liquidity sources, with record transaction volumes and large funds specializing in venture secondaries addressing liquidity constraints.AI and defense tech sectors continue attracting major funding rounds and valuations, underpinning strategic industry shifts.Apple's new “Liquid Glass” design language and UI changes blur lines between iPad and Mac, signaling acknowledgment of evolving user expectations.AI-driven interfaces are moving beyond traditional input methods to embrace natural language, voice commands, and conversational experience.Voice AI technologies, such as “Voice in a Box” and true speech-to-speech models that incorporate prosody and emotion, are poised to revolutionize both consumer and enterprise interfaces.The future of devices will increasingly be defined by AI assistance quality rather than hardware aesthetics, with “legacy” hardware becoming less relevant.Key Trend 5: Ethical, Social, and Political Implications of AI and Tech PlatformsMajor tech companies wrestle internally with AI safety, privacy risks, and ethical governance amid fierce innovation pressures.AI's societal impact carries dual potentials for utopia or dystopia, prompting calls for governance frameworks balancing innovation with responsibility.Social media platform changes, such as X's transformation and decentralized alternatives like Bluesky, reveal ongoing tensions in moderation, community cohesion, and political discourse.Criticism of Big Tech growth focus and user experience degradation shows persistent cultural dissatisfaction despite transformative potential.Discussion QuestionsHow has TechCrunch's role as a startup network reshaped the venture capital ecosystem compared to traditional tech media? What lessons does this hold for emerging platforms today?Given the dominance of B2B and automation-focused AI startups in YC's recent accelerator cohorts, what does this suggest about the future directions of AI entrepreneurship versus consumer applications?Apple is pushing hard on design and controlled AI integration, while Meta invests heavily in superintelligence labs—how do these divergent strategies reflect different visions of AI's role in society and technology?What are the implications of the IPO resurgence and growing secondary markets for startup founders, investors, and public market investors in the current economic cycle? Does this signal a sustainable tech market rebound or potential volatility?With ethical concerns rising within companies like Apple and voices like Vinod Khosla warning of AI's societal risks, what governance or regulatory frameworks should be prioritized to ensure safe and equitable AI development?How do changes in social media dynamics—such as the rise of decentralized platforms like Bluesky and the transformation of X under Musk—impact political communication and community building in the digital age?What does the evolution of voice AI and UI convergence (e.g., iPadOS blending with macOS, ‘vibe coding' tools) mean for how individuals will interact with technology in the near future? Could these trends reduce technical barriers or introduce new challenges?Closing SegmentTechCrunch's 20-year journey exemplifies the power of dedicated media to build ecosystems and influence innovation rhythms. As we stand on the threshold of AI-driven transformation, the themes resonate: human connection remains central even as machines advance; technology for good requires intention amid rapid change; and markets and devices evolve to meet new realities while grappling with legacy and complexity.Our final thought: The future will not be defined solely by the most advanced algorithms or sleekest designs, but by how well the industry balances innovation, ethics, human values, and global inclusion to craft a truly transformative technology landscape. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thatwastheweek.com/subscribe

Meta just made a $14.3 billion bet on data-labeling company Scale AI, but it's not a traditional takeover: Meta's taking a 49% stake in the company and adding Scale's co-founder Alexandr Wang to its team. Today on Equity, we break down what this means for Meta's AI ambitions and revisit Wang's early AI predictions. Listen to the full episode to hear more highlights from the week, including: How Chime's IPO priced above expectations at $27 per share and jumped in early trading, and Anthony's not-so-hot takes on what this signals for the tech IPO market Why Y Combinator's Demo Day was packed with “agentic” AI startups building autonomous software, and how a recent chat with Fiverr's CEO sheds light on AI-driven task automation in the gig economy How Jony Ive's LoveFrom spent 18 months quietly collaborating with Rivian on their first electric bike, a spinout product confirmed to have a bike-like form factor Equity will be back next week, so stay tuned! Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.  Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod.  Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We'd also like to thank TechCrunch's audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Friday Five for June 13, 2025: Field Notes 6.13.2025 Apple Renames OS Versions Apple Liquid Glass Apple iPad Windowing New Apple Features: Sarah's Picks   Register for the ICHRA Introduction Webinar from Ritter & Nexben   Field Notes for June 13, 2025: “AHIP Medicare + Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Online Course.” Ahipmedicaretraining.Com, AHIP, www.ahipmedicaretraining.com/page/login. Accessed 10 June 2025. ICHRA Webinar Information & Registration: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/20edcbcf-3b83-4971-8e26-b1c7854a8180@70dbad32-6e58-4114-88e8-84f5666158df  “NABIP Medicare Advantage Certification.” NABIP.Org, NABIP, www.nabiptraining.org/nabip/medicare. Accessed 10 June 2025. Register for Ritter Insurance Marketing Summits: https://summits.ritterim.com/   Apple Renames OS Versions: Shibu, Sherin, and Melissa Malamut. “Apple Is Making a Major Change to Its Operating Systems Across All Products. Here's What We Know.” Entrepreneur.Com, Entrepreneur, 29 May 2025, www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/apple-is-renaming-its-operating-systems-for-iphone-ipad/492439. Mendes, Marcus. “Apple's New OS Naming Could Make ‘iPhone 17' Sound Even Weirder.” 9to5Mac.Com, 9to5Mac, 28 May 2025, 9to5mac.com/2025/05/28/apples-new-os-naming-vs-iphone-17/. Preston, Dominic. “Apple Renames Its Operating Systems.” Theverge.Com, The Verge, 9 June 2025, www.theverge.com/news/679221/apple-ios-macos-watchos-ipados-26-name.   Apple Liquid Glass: Peters, Jay. “Apple's Liquid Glass Was a Wild Change to My iPhone.” Theverge.Com, The Verge, 10 June 2025, www.theverge.com/apple/683914/apple-iphone-ios-26-changes-liquid-glass. Mickle, Tripp, and Brian X. Chen. “Apple's New Software Focuses on Design Aesthetics Over A.I.” Nytimes.Com, New York Times, 9 June 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/06/09/technology/apple-wwdc-ios-26.html. Perez, Sarah. “Apple Redesigns Its Operating Systems with ‘Liquid Glass' at WWDC 25.” TechCrunch.Com, TechCrunch, 9 June 2025, techcrunch.com/2025/06/09/apple-redesigns-its-operating-systems-with-liquid-glass/. Lovejoy, Ben. “Here's a Closer Look at the Liquid Glass Design in iOS 26 on the iPhone.” 9to5Mac.Com, 9to5Mac, 10 June 2025, 9to5mac.com/2025/06/10/heres-a-closer-look-at-the-liquid-glass-design-in-ios-26-on-the-iphone/.   Apple iPad Windowing: Shanklin, Will. “Apple's Walled Garden Is the iPad's Biggest Roadblock to Becoming a Mac.” Engadget.Com, Engadget, 9 June 2025, www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/apples-walled-garden-is-the-ipads-biggest-roadblock-to-becoming-a-mac-223014619.html. “iPadOS 26 Introduces Powerful New Features That Push the Capabilities and Versatility of iPad Even Further.” Apple.Com, Apple, 10 June 2025, www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/06/ipados-26-introduces-powerful-new-features-that-push-ipad-even-further/. Christoffel, Ryan. “PSA: iPadOS 26 Removes Split View and Slide Over Multitasking Features.” 9to5Mac.Com, 9to5Mac, 9 June 2025, 9to5mac.com/2025/06/09/psa-ipados-26-removes-split-view-and-slide-over-multitasking-features/.   New Apple Features (Sarah's Picks): “Apple Elevates the iPhone Experience with iOS 26.” Apple.Com, Apple, 10 June 2025, www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/06/apple-elevates-the-iphone-experience-with-ios-26/. “Apple finally brings Journal to iPad & Mac for better writing, sketching & reflection” appleinsider.com, Apple Insider, 9 June 2025, https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/06/09/apple-finally-brings-journal-to-ipad-for-better-writing-sketching-reflection. Malik, Aisha. “Apple Unveils watchOS 26 with New Design, Wrist-Flick Gesture, and AI Workout Buddy Feature.” Techcrunch.Com, TechCrunch, 9 June 2025, techcrunch.com/2025/06/09/apple-unveils-watchos-26-with-new-design-wrist-flick-gesture-and-ai-workout-buddy-feature/. “Journal App Finally Coming to Mac and iPad.” Macrumors.com, MacRumors, 9 June 2025, https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/09/journal-app-finally-coming-to-mac-and-ipad/. “watchOS 26 Delivers More Personalized Ways to Stay Active, Healthy, and Connected.” Apple.Com, Apple, 10 June 2025, www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/06/watchos-26-delivers-more-personalized-ways-to-stay-active-and-connected/.   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.

Maria Artunduaga is the founder & CEO of Samay, the winner of the 2024 MedTech Innovator accelerator, as well as a groundbreaking physician, scientist, and inventor. Maria discusses her inspiring journey from a small town in Columbia to leading a top MedTech company in the US. After pivoting away from plastic surgery training, she channeled her efforts into creating Sylvee, an AI wearable sensor for COPD patients. Maria shares her relentless determination, innovative problem-solving strategies, and the creation of a company culture that emphasizes learning and diversity.    Guest links: https://www.samayhealth.com/home | https://www.linkedin.com/in/drartunduaga/  Charity supported: ASPCA Interested in being a guest on the show or have feedback to share? Email us at theleadingdifference@velentium.com.  PRODUCTION CREDITS Host: Lindsey Dinneen Editing: Marketing Wise Producer: Velentium   EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Episode 057 - Maria Artunduaga [00:00:00] Lindsey Dinneen: Hi, I'm Lindsey and I'm talking with MedTech industry leaders on how they change lives for a better world. [00:00:09] Diane Bouis: The inventions and technologies are fascinating and so are the people who work with them. [00:00:15] Frank Jaskulke: There was a period of time where I realized, fundamentally, my job was to go hang out with really smart people that are saving lives and then do work that would help them save more lives. [00:00:28] Diane Bouis: I got into the business to save lives and it is incredibly motivating to work with people who are in that same business, saving or improving lives. [00:00:38] Duane Mancini: What better industry than where I get to wake up every day and just save people's lives. [00:00:42] Lindsey Dinneen: These are extraordinary people doing extraordinary work, and this is The Leading Difference. Hello, and welcome back to another episode of The Leading Difference podcast. I'm your host Lindsey, and I am delighted to welcome as my guest today, Maria Artunduaga. Maria is a physician, scientist, and inventor with 60 plus prizes, including becoming the first woman to lead a US LATAM company to win MedTech Innovator, the world's most competitive accelerator for medical technology surpassing over 1300 global companies. A top 1% student in Columbia, her country of birth, she relocated to the US to pursue plastic surgery training, but abandoned it to dedicate herself to solve the problem that killed her grandmother-- a lack of home technologies that can detect COPD exasperations early. Maria has raised 5.2 million, almost 60% in non-dilutive capital from NSF and NIH to build Sylvee, an AI wearable sensor that can provide COPD patients with continuous data on pulmonary functions similar to what continuous glucose monitoring sensors do for diabetic patients. Her invention has been featured by a hundred plus media outlets, including Forbes, TechCrunch, Bloomberg, Fierce Healthcare, and more. Before Samay, Maria completed postdoctoral studies in human genetics at Harvard Medical School, started a plastic surgery residency at the University of Chicago, and completed two master's degrees, one in global public health at the University of Washington, and another in translational medicine at the University of California at Berkeley and San Francisco. She lives in Mountain View, California with her husband, 2-year-old daughter, and four pets. In her free time, she enjoys flamenco dancing, bolero singing, traveling the world, and fostering diversity in and outside the workplace by mentoring underrepresented scientists and entrepreneurs. All right. Well, thank you so much for being here, Maria. I'm so excited to finally get a chance to speak with you. I'd love if you would share a little bit about your background and your career trajectory. What led you to MedTech? [00:02:40] Maria Artunduaga: Sure. So it's gonna be a little long and I'm gonna tell you everything about my life because the personal history is very important to me and for my company too. So, as you have noticed, I have an accent. So, I grew up in Columbia in a very small town in the southern part of the country. My parents were both doctors and I'm the oldest of four kids and two of us followed their lead. So my life in my city was pretty chill. Everyone knew everyone. I spent most of my days at a Catholic school studying very hard on weekends where I usually spent tagging along my parents to doctor events. One of the things that I really like to tell, it's how my parents work as entrepreneurs really shaped my life. They were real pioneers. They built in my hometown the first big clinic back in the eighties and the nineties. And my mom was the only woman in that group, and she actually was the CEO for a while, which was a big deal. She was the only woman in a partnership of 10 people. And watching them build that clinic, that hospital really taught me a lot about dealing with uncertainty and finding solutions. Every day we'll have supper or lunch and I'll just hear all of these challenges and stories, their struggles and how they solve things. Something that was, that is definitely super helpful in what I do now, right? So, and then I was 16 and after high school I moved to Bogota, the capital, which is up in the mountains, it's very cold. I got a scholarship 'cause I was always a very good student. You know, career I spent my last year, I spent nine months in the US. Honestly, coming to the US blew my mind. The technology that I got to see, the speed, effects on science, it was nothing like I've ever seen before, and that was true inspiration for me. So I knew that I had to come to the US. I needed to come back to learn from the best, of course. And it's interesting because my parents didn't want me to relocate to the US. I was the oldest. I was supposed to follow into their footsteps and obviously, like inherited that clinic, right? That hospital, we call it clinic, it's actually a hospital. And I was a very contrarian. I didn't listen to them. I told them, you know, I really wanna be where the best people are. And what I did was that I, it took me three years to save the money to come to the US, to get Harvard to actually sponsor me my visa because they wouldn't pay me for the first year. So I remember I had to save $30,000, which in pesos is significant. So back in 2007, so many years ago, I made it to Boston, and the original idea was that I wanted to become a pediatric plastic surgeon and bring that level of care back to Columbia. I spent four years of researching a genetic ear condition that's called microtia. And with that work, I was able to land a plastic surgery residency spot or position at the University of Chicago. And I shared this with a lot of people. I actually had a really negative experience. Things didn't go as planned. I actually faced discrimination. I eventually, you know, had to leave and I made the top choice to never ever go back into clinical practice. And I changed paths. I was 32 years old and yeah I decided to switch gears. I retrained into public health and tech. And then in 2016, I moved to the Bay Area where I am right now. And I got another scholarship to finish master's in translational medicine at UC Berkeley and UCSF. And during the courses that I took, some of them with business class etc., etc., I decided to found Samay in 2018. I really wanted to build something that would really make a difference in respiratory medicine. And this is where my grandmother comes. So my, the grandmother, my abuela, her name was Sylvia and she had Chronic Obstruct Pulmonary Disease or COPD and she's the reason behind my company. So, she often couldn't tell when her symptoms were getting worse. That's a huge problem. Catching the respiratory attacks, exacerbations is definitely key to keeping people outside of the hospitals, and obviously feeling their best to have a better quality of life. So, that's what we are trying to solve with a company, right? If we are able to catch those exacerbations even with a day or two notice in advance, right, that we can all make a difference. And so by missing these exacerbations, we are having really high expenses in hospitalizations and ER visits and the problem we trying to solve is that today technologies that are adequate enough to be used outside of the hospital because the ones that are considered to be the gold standard, they are very expensive. They are confined to their hospitals and they are very difficult to complete for the patient, especially when they're exacerbating. They need to blow out forcefully for about 10 seconds, 21 times. So what we are doing is, we are developing a sensor that makes it super simple for people to use it at home to track their lung function without doing those forceful maneuvers and ideally in the future to warm them, right? Like to let them know when things are starting to go south or obviously, you know, not going very well, and that's what it's all about. I mean, that's what we do with Sylvee right here. And it's wearable sensor and we have done significantly well over the past couple of years. We actually just won MedTech Innovator. [00:08:04] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Significantly well over the last few years. Yes. So congratulations on that, and I want to dive into all of those exciting milestones in just a second. But I am, first of all, so inspired by your story. Thank you for just sharing that your resilience and your grit and your determination are really admirable. So thank you for sticking with something that was not easy, not an easy path. [00:08:29] Maria Artunduaga: I know. I know. [00:08:31] Lindsey Dinneen: It continues not to be, ironically, as we've kind of touched on before, but just going backward a little bit in your story. So I, it sounds to me like getting the opportunity to watch your parents have this incredible impact on their community and the healthcare and the opportunity is just so valuable for you. And even just learning about how your mom was the CEO and those kinds of things, did that help shape the idea for you that not only is entrepreneurship possible, is innovation and healthcare possible, but you can also be this in incredible leader as a woman in whatever capacity? I would just love to dive into that. [00:09:13] Maria Artunduaga: Yeah, it's super interesting, right? My mom really taught me a lot about leadership. She's a surgeon, so you can imagine how good of a leader she is in the operating room at home, everywhere, right? I mean, she's definitely the general, that's how I call her. And I honestly, I try to replicate, so my leadership and styles pretty much shaped by her. So I always call her my best role model whenever somebody asks me about the question, right? So I'm just like her. I lead from the front. I like setting the pace by working the hardest. So I really like to lead by example and I also, just like she did, and obviously because of her surgical training, I hold myself to a really high standard, and I expect everyone on my team to do the same. So people in my company know that I'm very strict, I'm very disciplined, and they know that from the beginning. It's so funny because when I interview all of them, at the final interviews with me, and I actually do the anti sale to join Samay. It's like, this is, these are all the reasons why you shouldn't join. I start describing myself as a very intense, obsessed CEO with insomnia, which I still have, because I really wanna make this work, right? So, yeah, I, ask them, and most of them say yes. I really like, I attract people that like challenges, especially intellectual challenges. So, yeah, to this point, most of them say yes. Some of them have obviously, you know, because probably too much. But at the same time, I tell them, "Look, this is going to be very hard in terms of the deliverables, the things that we're expecting from you." But at the same time, my goal is to not only help people with respiratory problems, I try to sell the company as a company where everyone that gets hired can be themselves and thrive. So, so for example, I tell them," Look, I'm trying to be the boss that I never had." And this goes obviously very tied to the very negative experience that I had during my surgical residency and even before, right? So, I never had a boss that really supported me, who recognize my true self and those characteristics as good things, right? So they always try to tone me down. I'm very energetic, as you can notice, and I'm also super ambitious. I'm really ambitious. I wanna do all of these great things. And they always thought that I was aiming for too much, especially for a woman. It's like, " You need to lean in, Maria. You need to behave." So I remember my residency, they were criticizing like, "Why are you behaving like this, Maria? Why are you asking so many questions? You're asking too many questions. You look more as an internal medicine doctor. Why are you always smiling, Maria? Why are you so happy?" So now, with everyone that I hire, what I try to do is that I focus on understanding their dreams and I try to figure out how this job is gonna help them get there. So if they wanna become a top engineer, maybe they wanna learn managerial skills, or they wanna run operations, or they eventually wanna become a founder themselves. So I try to create a partnership with them where they obviously help me succeed with the company, build Samay, but at the same time they get to do this personal growth. So it's extremely important that they get to place where they wanna be. [00:12:32] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, that's wonderful. And such a gift to your employees. And I also honestly, that sort of anti interview or whatever technique is brilliant because you do want it to be a fit for everyone, and it's so much better to have aligned expectations from the start. So, oh my goodness, that's so interesting. So, okay, so then. Speaking into that, how do you develop a company culture for yourself? You've learned from some pretty negative experiences, so obviously that's what not to do, but you know, as you're crafting your own company culture now, what kinds of things are sort of your core values, other than of course, your hard work and your excellence and holding yourself and others to high standards, but what kinds of things do have you developed that make it special to be where you are? [00:13:19] Maria Artunduaga: Yeah, I mean, that's a really good question. I'm very true to myself, and one of the things that I wanna do with Samay, it's I wanna create legacy. If you go to my WhatsApp, that's exactly the little logo or the slogan that's below my name: I'm creating or building my life's legacy. That's how I pitch myself. So I really wanna be remembered as someone that made healthcare more accessible, especially for the people that get left behind. So growing up in Columbia, I saw firsthand how unfair things will be and I wanted to change that. So that's how the values of Samay go, people first. I think legacy, it's extremely important, right? It's about getting those life changing tools and opportunities into the hands of people who really need them. And again, it's not necessarily, the group that we're building. It's the own experience of building a company with me, learning from the company, from the people that are working with. I really wanna make it accessible for people. And I wanna also be obviously a source of inspiration. You don't necessarily need to be this perfect person to be a CEO. You know, life is a struggle and that's totally fine. Just be very passionate about building legacy, right, your work and how you're impacting other people. And especially for me, I do a lot of work with women and minorities. I really wanna empower them to chase their dreams in science and technology. I really care about people. I don't know, I'm selfless about me. It's all about the others and creating legacy and being remembered. So, yeah, that's how I, that's how I roll. [00:14:59] Lindsey Dinneen: I love that. I love that. So speaking of you embracing the CEO role, when you first started your company, did you feel ready to step into this kind of position? Or was it something where you just were like, "You know what? I see the need. I know I can make a difference in this field. I'm gonna do it and I'll learn along the way." [00:15:19] Maria Artunduaga: No, not at all. And let, so there's a very good anecdote that I'm sharing. Again, back to all of these life changing experiences. I got into medtech because of, I don't know, somehow the planets got aligned, right? So I was doing a master's in public health because I thought that was going to be my real call, working for Gates in Seattle, because that's where I actually lived for about two years. Then I came to realize that it was very bureaucratic. It's very, was very slow. I have a type A personality. I really like to fix things very quick. I like to implement stuff. So I decided to do a second master's degree, and as I mentioned, here in Berkeley, I decided to join one of Atma METs minority programs for students, right? It's called SMDP. And I remember that was back in 2016, and they sent me to Minneapolis for the big conference. And that's where I got my first real taste of MedTech. And I remember watching the MedTech Innovator finals with Paul Grand. He was introducing the program, the finalist. I remember clearly seeing all of his pitches and how Green Sun Medical CEO won, and it was a game changer to me because when I saw them pitch, it was very exciting. You know, all these technologies, the many millions of people they could definitely impact, I saw that, and it clicked. I could turn the scientific ideas into something that helps millions in a way, the way how I would practice medicine, but in a more impactful way. So interesting story though. So the other thing that was very inspiring or at least that motivated me, I was the only person in the room who looked like me and spoke with an accent from South America, from Latin America. So it was like two reasons behind it. For me, it was I wanna be a medtech entrepreneur, but at the same time I wanna be able to break the glass ceiling, right? The first Latina physician CEO building a company that has hardware, software, and AI, this is what we actually do. And yeah, so it, it's mainly that. I really like challenges and I'm very motivated to show people that I can do things that might seem impossible or too difficult. So I really like showing people that anything is possible with a lot of hard work and determination. So yeah, that's mainly it. [00:17:47] Lindsey Dinneen: I love that. Embracing those challenges, running full steam at them and having that, I don't know, that gumption is fantastic too. And the desire, like... [00:17:57] Maria Artunduaga: Thank you. [00:17:57] Lindsey Dinneen: ...you said, to break through those ceilings and to represent and say, "No, it is possible." It is, and I love that. So, excellent. Okay, so can you share a little bit about the journey that the company has gone under recently and some of the really exciting milestones? I know there have been bumps and whatnot, but maybe some of the exciting things that have been developing and what you're looking forward to as you continue down the road. [00:18:24] Maria Artunduaga: Sure. I mean, whew. There are so many things that have been happening for the last couple of months. So it's been a long journey. It's been six years so far. Initially, you know, I wanted to build a company with an idea that was inspired, obviously, by the fact that I lost my grandmother to exacerbation and also because, at the time, I didn't know what I wanted to build. When I was doing an interview with a pulmonologist, what I realized was that I could actually build a technology that could be inspired by consumer devices, so hearing aids for example. And funny story is that my husband who is also Columbian, and went to MIT, he's been working at Google for over a decade and he's an auto engineer. He does a lot of things. He's very smart and he's one of the main architects. What I decided to do back then was, let's repurpose hearing aid technology by sending signals through the chest, and let's use the physical principle of acoustic resonance to understand what's going on inside of the lungs. And that's exactly what we are doing. We have 10 granted patents so far. We have 20 more pending on pulmonary so far. So we've done a lot of things. So we've tested that device on 450 people almost. All of our numbers of accuracy are over 90. Sensitivities and specificities are also between 82 to 98. Right now we are starting to see changes a few days before an exacerbation is actually diagnosed by a physician, which is extremely exciting. We have data from two people. Obviously it's a small sample size. We are following eight of them, and we're aiming to finish at 60 to hundred people in the next year or so. So that's our main goal. We've raised 5.2 million, 60% of that money is coming from grants, federal grants, and we just submitted a breakthrough designation to the FDA about a week ago, so fingers crossed, though, we get it right? There are a lot of things in the pipeline, things that are very exciting. Right now I'm super excited 'cause those six years were very hard. I was running a science project with my nails, getting money from grants, help from people who have known me forever. It was very hard for me to recruit a full-time CTO. So my husband has been helping me with some hours here and there. And we have right now 12 people in Columbia. So for developers, designers, clinical researchers, we are running most of our operations in Latin America because it's extremely, well, obviously cost efficient, and more importantly, we have access to people that are patients especially that are, that exacerbate more often. So we are to leverage all the different angles that we can get. [00:21:04] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Wow. So lots of exciting things in the works and in the future, and oh my goodness, I'm so excited, can't wait to continue to celebrate all those wonderful accomplishments. So I'm curious, as you've taken this journey and even before with your other health experiences and finding this path, are there any moments all along the journey that really stand out to you as affirming, "Yes, I am in the right place at the right time, in the right industry." [00:21:31] Maria Artunduaga: Yeah, beyond the MedTech Innovator, the experience eight years ago, I mean, every day I find that this is the perfect fit for me. I always tell people, "Look, entrepreneurship is not for everyone. It really needs to be a fit of personality." So when I talked to my parents, because at the beginning they weren't very agreeable with the idea of me becoming an entrepreneur 'cause physicians don't do this, right? I was sort of like a black sheep of a family, 'cause my sister, she's successful and she's a pediatric radiologist as she's working for an academic center in, in Dallas. So, my personality, I'm Type A. I'm very anxious. I really like doing things super fast. I really like to get things done, right? So, I dunno if I picked the wrong career, probably could have done a better job as an engineer, as a scientist myself. So at heart, I'm a true scientist. That's what I really enjoy. I like practicing medicine, sort of miss it a little bit, but I'm more in the quest of solving questions and discovering, right? That's what really excites me. And then, every day is a new day when you're building a company. And the challenges that I have every day, all of the problems I have to solve, I really enjoy the process of solving them. And this is a little crazy. Who gets excited with problems, right? So, I don't know, that's probably me. So I guess every day, the moment I go home or that I go to sleep, I say, "This is perfect. I don't think I'll be as happy as I am right now if I had stayed medicine. I don't think so." [00:23:10] Lindsey Dinneen: Wow. And that says a lot. And that just affirms to you on a daily basis, "Yeah. I am doing what I'm supposed to be doing. That's wonderful. [00:23:17] Maria Artunduaga: Exactly. Right. It's like, yeah, I'm good at this thing. You know? I like solving problems. I got, I really enjoy the fires. I really like them. I's like, I don't know. I'm, yeah. I'm addicted to them. [00:23:30] Lindsey Dinneen: I love that. Well, and that is unusual, and I'm curious, do you? But it's a great thing. No, it's a wonderful thing. Yeah, no, absolutely. I love that. So, so when you're at finding yourself up against a problem, do you start with any particular kind of established framework? Do you like to just brainstorm solutions? How do you approach problem solving? [00:23:53] Maria Artunduaga: Gosh, this is a really good question. It's like, you know, if I had to teach something, right? So I'm very good at solving problems, at connecting different disciplines, right, to solve those issues. So for example, the way how I go about them, first of all, I don't get frustrated or too anxious about it. I always try to think first, right? And then, yeah, I start brainstorming. I'm very quick at thinking, my mind goes super quick. I have a whiteboard right behind me. I do a lot brainstorming on my own. I ask a lot of questions too. So I rely on a lot of people, and I get a lot of feedback on the way, how I think a problem needs to be solved. And obviously with time and experience, the older that you get, the better you become, right? So yeah, honestly, every problem is different. I just like seeing it from different angles, right? I'm very good with social stuff. I'm very good with arts too. I really like doing science, learning a about engineering. I really like different ways of solving problems. For example, I remember that I we had this NIH grant and we were working collaboration with a big, famous academic center right here. And things weren't working very well. That was through during a pandemic and I was getting charged things that we actually didn't approve. So things were getting a little awkward. I decided to finalize that agreement. But then I got through this situation that I had no access to patients here in the States, and at the time, I didn't have my clinical site in Columbia opened up. So what I did was the craziest thing, which is what I did, was that I bought an $80,000 machine and I came into an agreement with a friend from medical school who has a pulmonary practice in South Florida, one of the largest pulmonary practices. He's a partner with nine other guys, and they see probably a hundred patients every day. Can you imagine that? So respiratory patients, and I told him, "Look, I don't have any money to pay your rent, but I'm gonna give you equity for that rent, and you're gonna use this machine from Monday through Thursday, and I'm going to test your patients from Friday to Saturday. And I'm going to bring people, I'm going to become my own CRO, right? So I'm gonna bring people, doctors, from Columbia on a J1 visa as a research scholar visa. I'm gonna train them and I'm gonna get them to do the recruitment, review everything, test the patients. We are going to become our own CROs, and we are going to do as many people as we can every single week." So we were able to do 430 people in a span of a probably a year and a half. Something that usually would cost us thousands of dollars. I dunno how much money I spend, probably just 300,000 to do everything. Can you imagine? I mean, that's significantly cheap compared to any other quote that I've been getting from an academic center. So, I sometimes go for the crazy idea, right? Like, what's the craziest thing that I could think of? I literally, I write it down, right? And then I just try to double check with my lawyer. "Am I doing something illegal here?" And I, yeah, I cross reference with other founders. " I'm thinking of doing this, how that's that sound?" And they're like, "This is pretty non-traditional, Maria, but I mean, if you can get it done..." I'm like, "Yeah, of course I can get it done." And I just get it done. I just don't take a no for an answer. I'm very good at also finding, convincing people to jump on board with the vision, the mission. This excitement, this energy, people really get very engaged with Samay and with me as a founder, and they love it. Most of these people either have invested in the company, they are helping me many more hours, pro bono, literally free, and we are building together. [00:27:43] Lindsey Dinneen: Wow, that is so cool. And what a fantastic story. Thank you for sharing that one as well. Oh my word. [00:27:50] Maria Artunduaga: I have way too many stories to share. This is the one I really like to, to tell people. [00:27:55] Lindsey Dinneen: I love that, and I love the willingness to come up with those crazy ideas. And it might be just so crazy that it works. So, hey, you never know until you try, and that's fantastic. Oh my gosh, I love that approach. Alright, so pivoting the conversation a little bit just for fun. Imagine you are to be offered a million dollars to teach a masterclass... I know! ...to teach a masterclass on anything you want. What would you choose to teach? [00:28:22] Maria Artunduaga: Yeah. So, good question. So, gosh, I, I tackle problem. So my, my brain again is very good at figuring stuff out. That plus the fact that I'm very stubborn. So if I'm into something, I don't give up easily. And now I'm gonna tell the story about our winning MedTech Innovator. We beat 65 companies globally, right? And I still like, sort of, I cannot process that we won. So the story goes like this, but a year ago, I tried to raise five millions, my very first institutional round, and I totally flopped. [00:28:55] Lindsey Dinneen: Oh. [00:28:56] Maria Artunduaga: I only got $200,000 because multiple funds that I was talking to, they wanted me to feel half of the round before weighing any money or signing anything. So you can imagine. So do I got, you know, chicken or the egg problem? I failed. And instead of crying or mopping, I thought, "Okay, wait. I got into Medtech Innovator. You know what? I'm just gonna win that competition, still $350,000." And why not? So obviously people, my advisors, my best friend, "Like, you're crazy. It's the most competitive thing ever. You're not established in the field. People know who you are, but it's not like you have exited a company or anything, right? You're not even an engineer, Maria." So what I did was, again I went back to my whiteboard. Again, I probably should have become an engineer before, I dunno. I'm really good at solving problems. So I was like, "You know, this is a problem. These are the different ways how I can tackle this." And more importantly, I'm very good at the studying stuff. I really like, again, knowing, wisdom, information. I just love that. I really love that. So what I did was, I treat it like a big project, and I talked to the past winners, anyone who had done or won any sort of like prize with MedTech Innovator, and I figure out their secret sauce. So I either talk to them, I studied every single video, every single pitch. I spend many hours studying everyone who had one or had done significantly well throughout the accelerator. So what I discovered was the accelerator was kind of a school, like a school. So the harder you work, the better you do. And one of the things that I realized was that mentors and reviewers were key players. So I focused on building those connections. I met with many of them. I probably spent about, I don't know, probably four to five hours meeting with mentors, anyone who I thought could help me somehow, obviously, for free, because a lot of the help that they give used for free. And I also spent a lot of time doing homework, the webinars, et cetera, et cetera. I ask a lot of people for advice. I really got people excited about Samay. I recruited my mentors and they got on board from day one. Because of that, I started building those relationships and it was authentic. I mean, don't get me wrong, this wasn't like, you know, I'm trying to play anybody. I really care about what they had to say, and I incorporate all that feedback into my company to this day. So the other thing is, I make sure to go to everywhere, every webinar, every event, everything. My camera was always on, because most people, when they do their webinars, they don't even turn on their cameras, right? So I was very engaged. I was asking questions, I was getting involved with everything. Same thing with the Slack channel that we have for MedTech Innovator. I was helping people, I was sharing stuff. I was even offering to make introductions. I really made sure that people knew who I was. And I obviously also asked the MedTech Innovator people, the staff, for help, feedback, right? Am I doing this right? What do you think I should do? Anything that you can share with me that you think. I was very clear with them. I wanna go to the, I wanna get to the finals. I told them, and I remember they telling me, "Oh, Maria, about getting to the finals, it's so hard. It depends on the strategics and the sponsors." And I was like, " I'm gonna get there. What do you think I should do?" So I literally ask a lot of people how I needed to get there. And with the finals, the way how they pick the finalist, it's actually the mentors who go in front of the strategics, and they sort of champion your company. And they really went to bat for us. They told them how committed I was, the many people that from my team were actually going for participating to the winner because I brought people from my team... [00:32:45] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. [00:32:46] Maria Artunduaga: You know, very few founders did that. I brought people from Colombia, obviously online, people who barely could understand English. But, I made them prepare questions. "You need to do this and that we need to be super engaged. We need to help other people." And they saw it was hard work. And at the end, we got into the finals and what I realized was, okay, so after the finals, I understood that the game was, obviously it changed. The way how the winner is chosen is that the audience votes, right, during The MedTech Conference. So what I did was, I went all in on social media. We made an awesome video for the best video competition. I remember that that was the first thing that I did back in June. I scheduled two weeks. I flew to Columbia. I hired right people. I made sure that I was perfect, so I was part of the creative team. I designed everything. Again, I really like arts, right? That's why, one of the reasons why I didn't, I was in pleasantry and that's why I really like dancing too, right? So I'm obsessive with everything that we do. I really am into the details and I supervise everything. And we also got into the finals for the best video competition. So I was going to this problem from every single angle. I didn't let anything up to chance. I, yeah, I'm a freak. I'm a control freak. That's what I did. I remember that even for the pitch, the four and a half minute pitch, I practiced, I don't know how many hours, but every single thing that I say that was obviously memorized, needed to be perfect. The way how I, let's go back to dancing since you're a dancer yourself, the way how I moved my hands, right? The way, how I walked on that stage, everything was rehearsed. So, yeah, I mean, I just I worked my ass off. I mean, everything was the way it needed to be and that's how we won. [00:34:39] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Wow. That's great. What a fantastic story. Yeah. Amazing. Yes. I love how it's so choreographed. Yeah, that's [00:34:48] Maria Artunduaga: great. It was choreographed, [00:34:50] Lindsey Dinneen: I love that. Excellent. Well, I know you have touched on the importance of legacy and how much that means to you, but how do you wish to be remembered after you leave this world? [00:35:03] Maria Artunduaga: Oh gosh. Yeah. I mean, so I have a little daughter, I want to some somehow replicate the same experience that I had with my mom. Maybe she doesn't even realize how much of the inspiration and the impact that she had on me. And again, leading by example, I don't spend a lot of hours with my daughter, right? I have a nanny for 12 hours. So my salary goes to her payment, right? Yeah, I wanna be remembered as somebody who tried very hard, who literally, instead of saying things, I walked the talk. The things that I said I was going to say. For example, I'm very opinionated with anything diversity and inclusion because, as I've said, I've experienced discrimination myself. So I walk the talk, I build a product, I build the change. I worked really hard. I impacted a lot of people. And more importantly, the world has changed somehow because I existed. So that's that. It's as simple as that. I wanna help other people get to fulfillment of their lives and their dreams. And yeah, and I obviously wanna be happy while I do all of these things. And more importantly, I wanna feel that I learned a lot. I really like learning. The process of learning every single day, learning a new thing makes me super happy. So if I don't learn something new, I consider day as, you know, as like a flop or something. So yeah, it's very simple. I'm actually a very simple person, I'm not that complicated. [00:36:30] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Okay. And then final question. What is one thing that makes you smile every time you see or think about it? [00:36:39] Maria Artunduaga: Oh, cute. I mean, obviously my daughter. So I'm a mom. I'm 44, well, almost 45, and I had her at 42. So just thinking about her makes me smile every single time. She's a miracle baby. She's, you know, after four years of IVF, eight retrievals, it finally happened. I finally had her, and having her in my life has turned my world upside down in the best way. She's determined, and she's only three. She's diving into doing all sorts of things. She's doing gymnastics, she's building Legos, she's doing engineering stuff. I really like that "I can do anything attitude" and obviously I'm sort of like reinforcing her to do anything she wants to try. So seeing her try all these new things, all this confidence that I, that she has. It's like, I don't know. I mean, that inspires me. That motivates me to be a better mom, a better CEO, and to do exactly the same thing with the people that I work with. So everyone in my company, I I tell them I'm a mom, right? So, remember that, and I try to do the same with them. It's like I tell them, what do you wanna do? What do you wanna learn this month? What do you need? Right? My work as a CEO is getting the resources and put out the fires. Just tell me, and this is your playground, so I'm trying to do exactly the same with my daughter too. But yeah, I'm very happy with her. [00:38:07] Lindsey Dinneen: Aw, that's wonderful. I'm so glad. Well, oh my goodness, this conversation has been amazing. I kind of wish it didn't have to end, but I also wanna respect your time 'cause obviously you have so much going on. But thank you so much for sharing about your story, your advice. You're so inspiring, and I know this is gonna inspire so many people to go for it, and not to have the fear, to have that problem solving mentality, and growth mindset and learning and, hey, look where curiosity got you. [00:38:37] Maria Artunduaga: Yeah, exactly. That's a perfect slogan. It's all about that curiosity and it gets you places. Look at me. [00:38:43] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, exactly. Yeah. And this is just the start. [00:38:47] Maria Artunduaga: Yes, of course. [00:38:48] Lindsey Dinneen: Indeed. So I just wanna say thank you again for your time today, and we just wish you the most continued success as you work to change lives for a better world. [00:38:58] Maria Artunduaga: Thank you so much and thank you again for invitation. I really enjoyed it. [00:39:02] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, absolutely. Me too. And we are honored to be making a donation on your behalf as a thank you for your time today to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which is dedicated to preventing animal cruelty in the United States. We really appreciate you choosing that organization to support and thank you just again, so very much for your time here today. Yeah, and holy cannoli, thank you so much to our listeners for tuning in, and if you're feeling as inspired as I am right now, I'd love it if you'd share this episode with a colleague or two, and we'll catch you next time. [00:39:44] Ben Trombold: The Leading Difference is brought to you by Velentium. Velentium is a full-service CDMO with 100% in-house capability to design, develop, and manufacture medical devices from class two wearables to class three active implantable medical devices. Velentium specializes in active implantables, leads, programmers, and accessories across a wide range of indications, such as neuromodulation, deep brain stimulation, cardiac management, and diabetes management. Velentium's core competencies include electrical, firmware, and mechanical design, mobile apps, embedded cybersecurity, human factors and usability, automated test systems, systems engineering, and contract manufacturing. Velentium works with clients worldwide, from startups seeking funding to established Fortune 100 companies. Visit velentium.com to explore your next step in medical device development.

Hi Guys!! Welcome back. Today, I sat down with Professor Ashish Bhatia. Ashish Bhatia is a Clinical Associate Professor of Management & Entrepreneurship at NYU Stern, where he's pioneering a bold new vision for entrepreneurial education. He's been featured in Harvard Business Review, TechCrunch, and has shared insights on major platforms like MSNBC and Bloomberg. Beyond the headlines, Professor Bhatia is also the founding force behind one of NYU's most innovative academic programs — the Business, Technology, and Entrepreneurship degree, or BTE. Under his leadership, BTE became the most selective program at Stern in just three years, thanks to a unique, four-year curriculum that blends action and reflection, creativity and strategy — the art and science of building ventures that matter. In 2022, his commitment to teaching earned him a spot on Poets & Quants' list of the Top 50 Business School Professors. hisprogram, along with lessons he learned by living with an entrepreneur (his wife!). Enjoy!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Generative AI is reshaping the way people work, from full-time employees to freelancers. As coding copilots, design assistants, and AI-powered writing tools become more capable and accessible, creative and technical roles are starting to shift – if not become eliminated entirely. The pressure to adapt is growing across the board.  Micha Kaufman, CEO of Fiverr, isn't sugarcoating it. In a recent open letter to staff, he warned that AI is coming for everyone's jobs, and the only way to stay relevant is to embrace AI tools and automation. Get better, get faster, or get left behind.  Kaufman joined Rebecca Bellan on TechCrunch's Equity podcast to help unpack what all of this means for the future of work – be it freelance or employed – and what you can do to survive.  Listen to the full episode to hear about: How Fiverr plans to stay relevant as a human-powered marketplace in an AI-driven world Why Kaufman believes AI will raise the bar for everyone, but top talent can still stand out and earn more What new grads and early-career professionals are up against in today's tough job market Equity will be back Friday with our weekly news roundup, so stay tuned. Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.  Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes here. Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We'd also like to thank TechCrunch's audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Instead of our usual Friday news rundown, we're bringing you a conversation from this week's TC Sessions: AI event out in San Francisco. Our friend and co-host Max Zeff sat down with Jared Kaplan, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at Anthropic. If you've been following Anthropic, you'll know it's been a busy year for the AI startup. Back in March, the company announced it raised $3.5 billion at a $61.5 billion valuation in a round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners. Since then, it's launched a blog for its Claude models and, according to Bloomberg reporting, partnered with Apple to power a new “vibe-coding” software platform. Listen to the full conversation to hear more about: ⁠Who has direct access to Claude's AI models⁠, Windsurf's response, and how it all ties into Anthropic's broader goals around openness, safety, and sustainability. The company's pivot away from chatbots and toward agentic AI systems that can perform real tasks. How internal tools like Claude Code are shaping the future of AI-powered development. What it means to build AI that enterprises can actually trust, and how that affects the way humans interact with software, work, and each other. Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday. Subscribe to us on⁠ Apple Podcasts⁠,⁠ Overcast⁠,⁠ Spotify⁠ and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on⁠ X⁠ and⁠ Threads⁠, at @EquityPod. Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We'd also like to thank TechCrunch's audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sarah unpacks all kinds of content to help you and your clients survive Summer 2025!   Field Notes: Malik, Aisha. “Adobe Launches Beta Version of Its Photoshop App on Android.” Techcrunch.Com, TechCrunch, 3 June 2025, techcrunch.com/2025/06/03/adobe-launches-beta-version-of-its-photoshop-app-on-android/. “AHIP Medicare + Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Online Course.” Ahipmedicaretraining.Com, AHIP, www.ahipmedicaretraining.com/page/login. Accessed 3 June 2025. “NABIP Medicare Advantage Certification.” NABIP.Org, NABIP, www.nabiptraining.org/nabip/medicare. Accessed 3 June 2025. Register for Ritter Insurance Marketing Summits: https://summits.ritterim.com/   Summer Podcast Listening for Kids: Kids Summer Podcast Sampler Playlist: https://www.podchaser.com/lists/summer-kids-podcast-sampler-11SKLQjpO2 Shippen, Lauren. “Maxine Miles and the Loose Ends - An Interactive Mystery!” Atypicalartists.Co, ATYPICAL ARTISTS, www.atypicalartists.co/loose-ends. Accessed 4 June 2025. Shippen, Lauren. “Maxine Miles - A YA Mystery Fiction Podcast.” Atypicalartists.Co, Atypical Artists, www.atypicalartists.co/maxine. Accessed 4 June 2025. “Summer Listening Challenge: Listen to a Summer of Stories!” Jonincharacter.Com, Jonathan Cormur, 20 May 2025, jonincharacter.com/summer-listening/.   Summer Reading Challenges & Recommendations: “Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program.” Barnesandnobleinc.Com, Barnes & Noble Inc, www.barnesandnobleinc.com/our-stores-communities/summer-reading-program/. Accessed 4 June 2025. “Beanstack Mobile App.” Landing.Beanstack.Com, Beanstack, landing.beanstack.com/mobile-app. Accessed 4 June 2025. “Fun Summer Reading Challenges for Kids.” Scholastic.Com, Scholastic, 29 May 2025, www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog/reading-challenges-kids.html. “Hot Ones: Readers' 80 Most Anticipated New Summer Books.” Goodreads.Com, Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2922. Accessed 4 June 2025. “Pizza Hut Book It!® Program.” Bookitprogram.Com, Pizza Hut, www.bookitprogram.com/. Accessed 4 June 2025. Maxine Miles: https://lnk.to/maxinemilespod “Pizza Hut Debuts First-Ever BOOK IT!® App.” Blog.Pizzahut.Com, Pizza Hut, 27 May 2025, blog.pizzahut.com/pizza-hut-debuts-first-ever-book-it-app/. “Scholastic Summer Reading.” Scholastic.Com, Scholastic, www.scholastic.com/site/summer-reading.html. Accessed 4 June 2025. Vance, Usha. “Summer Reading Challenge.” Whitehouse.Gov, The White House, 2 June 2025, www.whitehouse.gov/read/. Diamond, Anna. “Summer Reading Challenges Aren't Just for Kids.” Nytimes.Com, New York Times, 30 May 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/books/summer-reading-adults.html. NYT Staff. “The New York Times's Summer Reading Bucket List.” Nytimes.Com, New York Times, 30 May 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/books/summer-reading-bucket-list.html. “The Ultimate Middle School Summer Reading List.” Scholastic.Com, Scholastic, www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/book-lists-and-recommendations/summer-reading-list-for-middle-school.html. Accessed 4 June 2025.   Staying Hydrated During Summer: “6 Refreshing Summer Drinks You Can Make at Home​.” Economictimes.Indiatimes.Com, The Economic Times, economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/6-refreshing-summer-drinks-you-can-make-at-home/classic-lemonade/slideshow/121248292.cms. Accessed 4 June 2025. DeAngelis, Danielle. “9 Drinks to Keep You Healthy & Hydrated This Summer.” Eatingwell.Com, EatingWell, 11 June 2024, www.eatingwell.com/drinks-to-keep-healthy-hydrated-this-summer-8661651. Walsh, Karla. “10 Ways Your Body Changes When You're Drinking Enough Water.” Allrecipes.Com, Allrecipes, www.allrecipes.com/article/drinking-enough-water/. Accessed 4 June 2025. Joshi, Priyankaa. “13 Best Electrolyte Drinks to Keep You Hydrated This Summer, Approved by Nutritionists.” Goodhousekeeping.Com, Good Housekeeping. www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/product-reviews/health-leisure/g60319999/best-electrolyte-powders-drinks/. Accessed 4 June 2025. Wimberly, Camryn Alexa. “23 Drinks to Keep You Healthy & Hydrated This Summer.” Eatingwell.Com, EatingWell, 1 June 2025, www.eatingwell.com/drink-recipes-to-keep-you-hydrated-this-summer-2025-11745692. Biggs, Suzanne. “How to Make Electrolyte Water (Plus Easy Recipes to Try at Home).” Lifemd.Com, LifeMD, 19 Nov. 2024, lifemd.com/learn/how-to-make-electrolyte-water. Killeen, Breana Lai. “Spinach-Apple Juice Recipe.” Eatingwell.Com, Eating Well, 18 Apr. 2024, www.eatingwell.com/recipe/250846/spinach-apple-juice/. Capritto, Amanda, and Nasha Addarich Martinez. “Summer Hydration: Your Daily Water Requirements Guide.” Cnet.Com, CNET, 31 May 2025, www.cnet.com/health/medical/summer-hydration-daily-water-requirements/. Kumer, Emma B. “The Best and Worst Drinks to Keep You Hydrated.” Tasteofhome.Com, Taste of Home, 11 Jan. 2025, www.tasteofhome.com/article/best-and-worst-hydrating-drinks-ranked/. “There's More To Staying Hydrated Than Just Drinking Water.” Delish.Com, Delish, www.delish.com/food-news/a61624242/how-to-stay-hydrated-in-heat/. Accessed 4 June 2025. Schneider, Jamie. “This Green Smoothie Recipe Is As Hydrating As 3 Cups Of Water, Says An MD.” Mindbodygreen.Com, mindbodygreen, 10 Apr. 2025, www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/functional-mds-green-smoothie-recipe-for-max-hydration. Kanya, Laura. “Watermelon-Basil Agua Fresca.” Eatingwell.Com, EatingWell, www.eatingwell.com/recipe/7967577/watermelon-basil-agua-fresca/. Accessed 4 June 2025.   On-The-Go Summer Eating: Bjarnadottir, Adda. “9 Fast-Food Restaurants That Serve Healthy Foods.” Edited by Alissa Palladino, Healthline.Com, Healthline Media, 14 May 2025, www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthy-fast-food-restaurants. Rajput, Priyanka. “10 Items You Can Eat at Fast-Food Chains If You're on the Mediterranean Diet.” Businessinsider.Com, Business Insider, 4 Feb. 2025, www.businessinsider.com/fast-food-chain-items-mediterranean-diet-2025-2#little-hamburger-at-five-guys-10. Madormo, Carrie. “25 Healthy Fast-Food Orders That You Can Grab and Go.” Tasteofhome.Com, Taste of Home, 2 Jan. 2025, www.tasteofhome.com/collection/healthy-fast-food/. Jung, Alyssa. “45 Healthiest Fast-Food Orders, According to Experts.” Edited by Valerie Agyeman, Goodhousekeeping.Com, Good Housekeeping, 6 Jan. 2025, www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/g4622/healthiest-fast-food/. Groth, Leah. “Dunkin' Just Introduced Wild New Summer Menu.” Eatthis.Com, Eat This, Not That!, 3 June 2025, www.eatthis.com/dunkin-summer-menu-2025-new-items/. Boesch, Samantha. “I Tried the 7 Healthiest Fast-Food Meals—Here's What I'll Actually Order Again.” Eatthis.Com, Eat This, Not That! , 10 Aug. 2024, www.eatthis.com/healthy-fast-food-taste-test/. Losciale, Marisa. “McDonald's Snack Wrap Officially Gets Release Date.” Parade.Com, Parade, 3 June 2025, parade.com/food/mcdonalds-snack-wrap-release-date-confirmed-returning-july-2025.   Resources: Adding Spokes to Your Wheel ft. Robert Rothschild: https://lnk.to/rothschild2025 How to Avoid Elderspeak: https://lnk.to/asgf20250530   Location Sharing Apps: https://lnk.to/ASGA84   Making Your Own Luck ft. Michael Krantz: https://lnk.to/krantz2025 Takeaways on Social Media Marketing in 2025: https://lnk.to/asgf20250523   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.

Today on Equity, Rebecca Bellan sits down with Crowdstrike co-founder and former CTO, Dmitri Alperovitch, to talk about the evolving cybersecurity landscape, the role of startups, and why he says we're living in a World on the Brink. Listen to the full episode to hear about: What early-stage secure-by-design startup founders are missing when it comes to maintaining security while building quickly and crisis management.  How AI export controls and global rivalries are reshaping innovation. What investors are really looking for when backing cybersecurity startups today. Equity will be back Friday with a behind-the-scenes look at TC Sessions: AI, so don't miss it! Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.  Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes here. Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We'd also like to thank TechCrunch's audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join our Patreon for the full ad-free episode: https://www.patreon.com/techish---- This week on Techish, host Abadesi is joined by TechCrunch reporter Dominic-Madori Davis. They break down: AI blackmail, the violence that's rocking the crypto world, and why being frugal matters, Lauren Sanchez marrying Jeff Bezos, and what big racism payouts mean for tech giants.Chapters01:07 Anthropic's AI Chatbot Blackmails Engineer07:15 The Violence That's Got the Crypto Elite Shook16:23Why Keke Palmer Lives Below Her Means27:35 Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos's Upcoming Wedding36:40  Google Settles $50M Race Discrimination Lawsuit [Patreon-Only]Extra Reading & Resources Severed Fingers and ‘Wrench Attacks' Rattle the Crypto Elite [WSJ]Crypto investor allegedly tortured captive Italian businessman with a chainsaw for weeks in luxe NYC pad in sadistic scheme to gain password: sources [NY Post]Crypto High-Rollers Go Big on Bodyguards to Deter Kidnappers [Bloomberg]Keke Palmer: Living below my means is 'incredibly important' to me—'if I have $1 million in my pocket, my rent is going to be $1,500' [CNBC]Google Settles $50M Lawsuit Alleging Bias Against 4,000 Black Employees [POCIT] Plus follow Dom on Instagram (@dominicmadori) and Real Talk About MarketingAn Acxiom podcast where we discuss marketing made better, bringing you real...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyJoin our Patreon for extra-long episodes and ad-free content: https://www.patreon.com/techish Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@techishpod/Advertise on Techish: https://goo.gl/forms/MY0F79gkRG6Jp8dJ2———————————————————— Stay in touch with the hashtag #Techishhttps://www.instagram.com/techishpod/https://www.instagram.com/abadesi/https://www.instagram.com/michaelberhane_/ https://www.instagram.com/hustlecrewlive/https://www.instagram.com/pocintech/Email us at techishpod@gmail.com

Visit thedigitalslicepodcast.com for complete show notes of every podcast episode. In this episode of The Digital Slice Podcast, Brad Friedman and Dmitry Dragilev discuss the state of SEO in 2025 and the tactics your brand needs to succeed. Dmitry Dragilev is an online entrepreneur who has built four software businesses, which were acquired by Google in 2014, Semrush in 2023, early Slack employees, and Mangools in 2024. His current role is the Growth Advisor at Mangools, where he is helping scale a set of simple and powerful SEO tools for any business or brand. He has utilized unconventional content marketing, PR, and SEO to scale his companies and achieve all four exits.  He has consulted and helped over 100 companies in the last decade, including DowJones, Realtor.com, Nextiva, Aura, Pipedrive, Wistia, CultureAmp, Backlinko, Helpscout rank #1 organically on Google for their key terms. Dmitry is a contributor for Intuit, Forbes, Entrepreneur, TheNextWeb, TechCrunch, Moz, AListApart, SEMRush, Mashable, Huffington Post, WIRED and many others. The Digital Slice Podcast is brought to you by Magai. Up your AI game at https://friedmansocialmedia.com/magai

Elon Musk has officially announced he's stepping down as a U.S. special government employee and the de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency, better known as DOGE. The move follows Musk's cooling relationship with the Trump administration and slumping Tesla sales tied to his political advocacy. Today on Equity, Kirsten, Max and Anthony unpack who else is departing DOGE, and why Silicon Valley's relationship with politics is entering, as Kirsten put it, the “find out” stage. Listen to the full episode for more of the week's tech headlines including: GameStop bought $500 million of bitcoin, and the move is giving us 2021 déjà vu Neuralink's $600 million raise, valuing Elon Musk's brain-computer interface startup at $9 billion The New York Times and Amazon's landmark AI licensing deal and what it signals for how editorial content powers generative AI Nvidia's tale of two earnings, and why the forecast is not as bleak as CEO Jensen Huang makes it seem Equity will be back next week, so don't miss it! Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.  Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes here. Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We'd also like to thank TechCrunch's audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we discuss OpenAI acquiring io, Salesforce buying Informatica, and the future of AI agents. Plus, Coté shares details about a sensitive procedure and ceiling puzzles. Watch the YouTube Live Recording of Episode (https://www.youtube.com/live/pIp9PXs0SDQ?si=rfo5EdiQCSn_qJo4) 521 (https://www.youtube.com/live/pIp9PXs0SDQ?si=rfo5EdiQCSn_qJo4) Runner-up Titles Don't ride a bike for a week You've got to focus on the important things What's your NPS score? It all comes back to CSV THIS IS MY AI. THERE ARE MANY LIKE IT BUT THIS ONE'S MINE. You need an MCP.Factory Crimp and Hope Rundown Sam & Jony introduce io (https://openai.com/sam-and-jony/) Salesforce to acquire data management company Informatica in $8 billion deal (https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/27/salesforce-informatica-deal.html) Agentic New capabilities for building agents on the Anthropic API (https://www.anthropic.com/news/agent-capabilities-api?utm_source=aibreakfast.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=openai-developing-a-wearable-device&_bhlid=1206587f1dbd9e1b358248d2b751bb04aca32ebe) Highlights from the Claude 4 system prompt (https://simonwillison.net/2025/May/25/claude-4-system-prompt/) Anthropic brings web search to free Claude users (https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-brings-web-search-to-free-claude-users-224222689.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLmdvb2dsZS5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALjAuhaCUa960tMiV3B93BX-_2-Fq04ZYcRiw3-E8JOtY391-_OpEx7nj0HR6NVKVUUhqEZh0Az3M8wmsQhOkhickrd_80juraYFjgYIRNJobHYtZdUe3RvWsrTerX4cpTzkvysIumyb8_R4-e2ZfMMaofZrDNKJsZnLQa_kzZaO) SWE Agents Too Cheap To Meter, The Token Data War, and the rise of Tiny Teams (https://www.latent.space/p/token-data-war?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1084089&post_id=164381135&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=bucq&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email) Google CEO Sundar Pichai on the next AI platform shift (https://www.theverge.com/decoder-podcast-with-nilay-patel/673638/google-ceo-sundar-pichai-interview-ai-search-web-future) MCP Registry (https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/registry) Anil Dash thoughts on MCP Servers (https://bsky.app/profile/anildash.com/post/3lq27z2k6cc2s) If AI Can Play Dungeons & Dragons, It Can Run Your ERP (https://thenewstack.io/if-ai-can-play-dungeons-dragons-it-can-run-your-erp/) MCP is the RSS of AI (https://thenewstack.io/mcp-is-rss-for-ai-more-use-cases-for-model-context-protocol/) Relevant to your Interests Mistral's new Devstral AI model was designed for coding | TechCrunch (https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/21/mistrals-new-devstral-model-was-designed-for-coding/) “Microsoft has simply given us no other option,” Signal says as it blocks Windows Recall (https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/05/signal-resorts-to-weird-trick-to-block-windows-recall-in-desktop-app/) From the ExperiencedDevs community on Reddit: My new hobby: watching AI slowly drive Microsoft employees insane (https://www.reddit.com/r/ExperiencedDevs/comments/1krttqo/my_new_hobby_watching_ai_slowly_drive_microsoft/) KrebsOnSecurity Hit With Near-Record 6.3 Tbps DDoS (https://krebsonsecurity.com/2025/05/krebsonsecurity-hit-with-near-record-6-3-tbps-ddos/) Microsoft Build 2025 Keynote: Everything Revealed, in 14 Minutes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGgBuJE0-s4) Once worth over $1B, Microsoft-backed Builder.ai is running out of money (https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/20/once-worth-over-1b-microsoft-backed-builder-ai-is-running-out-of-money/) Meta launches program to encourage startups to use its Llama AI models (https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/21/meta-launches-program-to-encourage-startups-to-use-its-llama-ai-models/?utm_source=aibreakfast.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=openai-developing-a-wearable-device&_bhlid=3602222175ca608068c014ef12dcf2a5d1d6536f) Digg founder Kevin Rose offers to buy Pocket from Mozilla (https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/23/digg-founder-kevin-rose-offers-to-buy-pocket-from-mozilla/) AWS Breaking Changes (https://github.com/SummitRoute/aws_breaking_changes) Cloud computing is too important to be left to the Big Three (https://on.ft.com/43FnwZc) How to Lead an All-Hands After Delivering Bad News (https://hbr.org/2025/05/how-to-lead-an-all-hands-after-delivering-bad-news) Matt Hicks: CentOS move not popular, but better for open source (https://www.techzine.eu/blogs/infrastructure/131813/matt-hicks-centos-move-not-popular-but-better-for-open-source/) How tech workers really feel about work right now (https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-tech-workers-really-feel-about) Exposed: How ransom gang Lockbit negotiates payments (https://ia.acs.org.au/article/2025/exposed--how-ransom-gang-lockbit-negotiates-payments.html) Behind the Curtain: Top AI CEO foresees white-collar bloodbath (https://www.axios.com/2025/05/28/ai-jobs-white-collar-unemployment-anthropic) U.S. public wants business to move slower on AI: Axios Harris 100 poll (https://www.axios.com/2025/05/27/ai-harris-100-poll-move-slow) Musk's xAI signs Telegram tie-up as billionaire ‘bromance' blooms (https://on.ft.com/45tYlej) In 3.5 years, Notepad.exe has gone from “barely maintained” to “it writes for you” (https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/05/in-3-5-years-notepad-exe-has-gone-from-barely-maintained-to-it-writes-for-you/) After 15 years, WhatsApp is finally ready for the iPad (https://www.theverge.com/news/674596/whatsapp-ipad-app-meta-availability) Nonsense Good Fortune Burger renamed its menu items to sound like office supplies (https://x.com/BrianRoemmele/status/1925648371508810182) Conferences POST/CON 25 (https://postcon.postman.com/2025/), June 3-4, Los Angeles, CA, Brandon representing SDT. Register here for free pass (https://fnf.dev/43irTu1) using code BRANDON (https://fnf.dev/43irTu1) (limited to first 20 People) Contract-Driven Development: Unite Your Teams and Accelerate Delivery (https://postcon.postman.com/2025/session/3022520/contract-driven-development-unite-your-teams-and-accelerate-delivery%20%20%20%20%20%208:33) by Chris Chandler SREDay Cologne, June 12th, 2025 (https://sreday.com/2025-cologne-q2/#tickets) - Coté speaking, discount: CLG10, 10% off. SDT News & Community Join our Slack community (https://softwaredefinedtalk.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-1hn55iv5d-UTfN7mVX1D9D5ExRt3ZJYQ#/shared-invite/email) Email the show: questions@softwaredefinedtalk.com (mailto:questions@softwaredefinedtalk.com) Free stickers: Email your address to stickers@softwaredefinedtalk.com (mailto:stickers@softwaredefinedtalk.com) Follow us on social media: Twitter (https://twitter.com/softwaredeftalk), Threads (https://www.threads.net/@softwaredefinedtalk), Mastodon (https://hachyderm.io/@softwaredefinedtalk), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/software-defined-talk/), BlueSky (https://bsky.app/profile/softwaredefinedtalk.com) Watch us on: Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/sdtpodcast), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi3OJPV6h9tp-hbsGBLGsDQ/featured), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/softwaredefinedtalk/), TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@softwaredefinedtalk) Book offer: Use code SDT for $20 off "Digital WTF" by Coté (https://leanpub.com/digitalwtf/c/sdt) Sponsor the show (https://www.softwaredefinedtalk.com/ads): ads@softwaredefinedtalk.com (mailto:ads@softwaredefinedtalk.com) Recommendations Brandon: Cable Matters 100-Pack Cat 6 Pass Through RJ45 Connectors (https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Through-Stranded-Connectors/dp/B07PXMN2VK/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=Pk41A&content-id=amzn1.sym.255b3518-6e7f-495c-8611-30a58648072e%3Aamzn1.symc.a68f4ca3-28dc-4388-a2cf-24672c480d8f&pf_rd_p=255b3518-6e7f-495c-8611-30a58648072e&pf_rd_r=B1A17R2AA5KDCVW0K92W&pd_rd_wg=kzlWJ&pd_rd_r=4c4d02be-bbb0-4de7-bc28-242f31111d53&ref_=pd_hp_d_atf_ci_mcx_mr_ca_hp_atf_d&th=1) Matt: Electric Foot Massager (https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0C9HJJ7ZR) Coté: Big Mac, inspired by Kenji's home brew (https://youtu.be/52Gf_0odraY?si=74hGU4qqF5gjgZpp).

The Friday Five for May 30, 2025: Field Notes for This Week Helpful Keyboard Shortcuts Mozilla Pocket Alternatives YouTube Adds Top Podcasts Chart How to Avoid Using Elderspeak   Field Notes: “AHIP Medicare + Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Online Course.” Ahipmedicaretraining.Com, AHIP, www.ahipmedicaretraining.com/page/login. Accessed 28 May 2025. “NABIP Medicare Advantage Certification.” NABIP.Org, NABIP, www.nabiptraining.org/nabip/medicare. Accessed 28 May 2025. Register for Ritter Insurance Marketing Summits: https://summits.ritterim.com/   Helpful Keyboard Shortcuts: Wawro, Alex. “9 MacBook Keyboard Shortcuts You Need to Know First.” Tomsguide.Com, Tom's Guide, 20 Apr. 2025, www.tomsguide.com/computing/macos/9-macbook-keyboard-shortcuts-you-need-to-know-first. Kasiya, Chifundo. “12 Windows Key Shortcuts I Use Every Day.” Howtogeek.Com, How-To Geek, 23 Feb. 2025, www.howtogeek.com/windows-key-shortcuts-i-use-every-day/. Brookes, Tim. “13 Mac Keyboard Shortcuts I Couldn't Live Without.” Howtogeek.Com, How-To Geek, 10 Apr. 2025, www.howtogeek.com/mac-keyboard-shortcuts-i-couldnt-live-without/. “Mac Split Screen: How to Chop Your Screen in Half for Multitasking.” Cnet.Com, CNET, 3 Feb. 2025, www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/mac-split-screen-how-to-chop-your-screen-in-half-for-multitasking/. Aamoth, Doug. “These 10 Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts Will Boost Your Productivity.” Fastcompany.Com, Fast Company, 27 May 2025, www.fastcompany.com/91337250/best-windows-11-keyboard-shortcuts. Fisher, Tim. “Windows Keyboard Shortcuts to Know in 2025.” Lifewire.Com, Lifewire, 14 Jan. 2025, www.lifewire.com/best-windows-keyboard-shortcuts-6503973.   Mozilla Pocket Alternatives: Reddy, Ramesh. “6 Best Pocket Alternatives to Save and Read Articles Later [2025].” Techpp.Com, TechPP, 24 May 2025, techpp.com/2025/05/24/best-pocket-alternatives/. Manuel, Beatrice. “Best Read-It-Later Apps in 2025: Top Ways to Save Web Pages & Content.” Edited by Samuel Chapman and Eugenie Tiu, Cloudwards.Net, Cloudwards, 16 May 2025, www.cloudwards.net/best-read-it-later-apps/. Instapaper: https://instapaper.com/ Matter: https://hq.getmatter.com/ Blake, Alex. “Mozilla Is Shutting down Pocket – Here Are the 3 Best Bookmarking Alternatives.” TechRadar, techradar.com, 23 May 2025, www.techradar.com/computing/websites-apps/mozilla-is-shutting-down-pocket-here-are-the-3-best-bookmarking-alternatives. Delima, David. “Mozilla's Pocket Shuts down in July: Try These Four Pocket Alternatives.” Gadgets360.Com, Gadgets 360, 24 May 2025, www.gadgets360.com/apps/features/mozilla-pocket-shutdown-alternatives-bookmarks-app-8497286. Krasnoff, Barbara. “Pocket Alternatives for Bookmarking Your Content.” Theverge.Com, The Verge, 23 May 2025, www.theverge.com/22927750/bookmarks-pocket-firefox-instapaper-raindrop. Raindrop.io: https://raindrop.io/ Mehta, Ivan, and Sarah Perez. “Read-It-Later App Pocket Is Shutting down - Here Are the Best Alternatives.” Techcrunch.Com, TechCrunch, 27 May 2025, techcrunch.com/2025/05/27/read-it-later-app-pocket-is-shutting-down-here-are-the-best-alternatives/. Peckham, James. “Read-It-Later Pocket App Will Shut down on July 8.” Pcmag.Com, PCMAG, 23 May 2025, www.pcmag.com/news/pocket-shut-down-the-read-it-later-app-will-close-on-july-8. Pot, Justin. “The 4 Best Read It Later Apps.” Zapier.Com, Zapier, 15 Aug. 2024, zapier.com/blog/best-bookmaking-read-it-later-app/.   YouTube Adds Top Podcasts Chart: “Apple Podcast Charts.” Podcasts.Apple.Com, Apple, podcasts.apple.com/us/charts. Accessed 28 May 2025. “Spotify Podcast Charts.” Podcastcharts.Byspotify.Com, Spotify, podcastcharts.byspotify.com/. Accessed 28 May 2025. “YouTube Podcast Charts.” Charts.Youtube.Com, YouTube, charts.youtube.com/podcasts. Accessed 28 May 2025.   How to Avoid Using Elderspeak: Senior Speak: Talking to Medicare Clients Age 65 & Older: https://ritterim.com/blog/senior-speak-talking-to-medicare-clients-age-65-and-older/ Shaw, Clarissa A., et al. “The Iowa Coding Scheme for Elderspeak: Development and Validation.” Academic.Oup.Com, Oxford Academic, 4 Mar. 2025, academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/65/6/gnaf093/8051882. Span, Paula. “Honey, Sweetie, Dearie: The Perils of Elderspeak.” Nytimes.Com, The New York Times, 3 May 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/05/03/health/elderly-treatment-aides.html.   Rueppel Recommends: Ridgely, Charlie. “Everything Coming to Netflix, Disney+, Max & Other Streaming Services in June 2025.” ComicBook.Com, Comic Book, 26 May 2025, comicbook.com/movies/news/new-streaming-movies-tv-june-2025-netflix-disney-hbo-services/.   Resources: 4 Ancillary Cross-Sales to Show Clients You Care: https://lnk.to/asg670 Apps for Comparing Healthcare & Prescriptions: https://lnk.to/ASGA85 Community Engagement & ACA Marketing Suggestions for Agents: https://lnk.to/ASG665 Reassuring Your Clients During Difficult Times: https://lnk.to/asg671 Takeaways on Social Media Marketing in 2025: https://lnk.to/asgf20250523   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.

We discussed a few things including:1. Jenny's career journey  2. The funding environment, then your fund3. What she is seeing at the universities she teaches at; trends in young talent4. Her new book5. Trends, challenges and opportunities re startup ecosystemJenny Fielding is a seasoned venture capitalist and technology trailblazer with a diverse background in law, finance, and entrepreneurship. As the founder of two tech startups, she understands the challenges of building companies from the ground up. She's also the author of the new book, Everywhere Ventures, https://www.amazon.com/Venture-Everywhere-Travel-Entrepreneurship-Roadmap/dp/B0DHQQTCG3Now, with a decade of investing experience and a portfolio valued at $10 billion, Jenny leads Everywhere Ventures, the go-to venture fund for early-stage founders around the world.  Beyond investing, Jenny is an adjunct professor at Columbia University and Cornell Tech, where she inspires the next generation of entrepreneurs. A sought-after speaker, Jenny has been featured on Bloomberg TV, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and TechCrunch, among many others.#podcast #afewthingspodcast 

Today on TechCrunch's Equity podcast, Rebecca Bellan caught up with  Daniel Weiner, director of the Brennan Center's Elections and Government Program, to break down what this means for startups, innovation, and democracy. Listen to the full episode to hear more about: How SpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril leveraged insider networks to win major defense deals. Changing ethics safeguards, and why that matters for founders entering government spaces. What this all means for fair competition and startups trying to break in. Equity will be back Friday with our weekly news round-up. Don't miss it! Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.  Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes here. Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We'd also like to thank TechCrunch's audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The elusive hacking group Careto was never publicly linked to a specific government, but TechCrunch has learned researchers concluded privately that the Spanish government was behind the group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

OpenAI just made its biggest acquisition yet, scooping up Jony Ive and Sam Altman's secretive device startup, io, in a $6.5 billion all-equity deal. Ive, the legendary designer behind the iPhone and other iconic Apple products, will now lead creative and design work at OpenAI through his firm LoveFrom. The goal? To take AI “beyond the screen” and build a new generation of AI-powered consumer devices. Beyond the tech, there's a clear narrative play here. OpenAI is framing Altman as the Jobs-esque visionary and Ive as the design genius who makes it all real. Social media had a field day with the staged buddy shots of the duo, but the messaging is hard to miss: Take the iPhone launch, and make it AI. Today, on TechCrunch's Equity podcast, hosts Kirsten Korosec, Max Zeff, and Anthony Ha unpack the deal, dive into AI wearables, and discuss more of this week's tech headlines. Listen to the full episode to hear about: Max's inside scoop from Google I/O: the return of Google Glass and developers' reactions to Google's AI-powered search upgrades Luminar drama from layoffs to CEO step downs and the lidar startup's potential $200 million fundraising effort 23andMe's second life, and what the company's new buyer plans to do with users' DNA data Equity will be back next week, so don't miss it! Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.  Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes here. Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We'd also like to thank TechCrunch's audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Friday Five for May 23, 2025: Field Notes 5.23.2025 Google Announces NotebookLM App AI Actions in Microsoft Windows 11 TikTok Sleep Meditation for Teens 2025 Social Media Marketing Industry Report   Field Notes 5.23.2025: Register for Ritter Insurance Marketing Summits: https://summits.ritterim.com/   Google Announces NotebookLM App: Beaty, Artie. “Google's Popular AI Tool Gets Its Own Android App - How to Use NotebookLM on Your Phone.” Zdnet.Com, ZDNET, 19 May 2025, www.zdnet.com/article/googles-popular-ai-tool-gets-its-own-android-app-how-to-use-notebooklm-on-your-phone/. Peters, Jay. “Google Releases Its NotebookLM Mobile App.” Theverge.Com, The Verge, 19 May 2025, www.theverge.com/news/669828/google-releases-its-notebooklm-mobile-app. Wang, Biao. “Understand Anything, Anywhere with the New NotebookLM App.” Blog.Google, Google Blog, 19 May 2025, blog.google/technology/ai/notebooklm-app/.   Microsoft Announces AI Actions in Windows 11: Warren, Tom. “Microsoft Is Putting AI Actions into the Windows File Explorer.” Theverge.Com, The Verge, 20 May 2025, www.theverge.com/news/670251/microsoft-windows-11-ai-actions-file-explorer-context-menu. Whitney, Lance. “Microsoft's New AI Tool Lets You Edit Images and Summarize Docs Right in File Explorer.” Zdnet.Com, ZDNET, 20 May 2025, www.zdnet.com/article/microsofts-new-ai-tool-lets-you-edit-images-and-summarize-docs-right-in-file-explorer/.   TikTok Sleep Meditation for Teens: Hasan, Sadiba. “Can TikTok Help Young People Take a Break From Screens?” Nytimes.Com, The New York Times, 19 May 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/05/17/style/tiktok-guided-meditation-sleep.html. Malik, Aisha. “Tiktok Rolls out a New Meditation Feature to Help You Get off the App and Sleep.” Techcrunch.Com, TechCrunch, 15 May 2025, techcrunch.com/2025/05/15/tiktok-rolls-out-a-new-meditation-feature-to-help-you-get-off-the-app-and-sleep/. Roth, Emma. “Tiktok Will Show Teens Guided Meditation after 10pm.” Theverge.Com, The Verge, 15 May 2025, www.theverge.com/news/668051/tiktok-guided-meditation-wind-down-10pm.   2025 Social Media Marketing Industry Report: Stelzner, Michael A. “2025 Social Media Marketing Industry Report.” Socialmediaexaminer.Com, Social Media Examiner, www.socialmediaexaminer.com/social-media-marketing-industry-report-2025/. Accessed 21 May 2025. Learning to Delight in the Limelight ft. Linda Ugelow: https://lnk.to/asg644 Order Your Copy of Delight in the Limelight: https://lindaugelow.com/delight-in-the-limelight/   Resources: 5 Types of Content to Share on Social Media: https://lnk.to/asgf20250131 Best Video Editing Apps for Social Media: https://lnk.to/8xfGo0 Community Engagement & ACA Marketing Suggestions: https://lnk.to/ASG665  From Chill Mode to Growth Mode ft. Christian Brindle: https://lnk.to/brindle2025  Social Media Marketing for Insurance Agents: https://ritterim.com/social-media-ebook/ The Best Books for Insurance Agents: https://ritterim.com/blog/the-best-books-for-insurance-agents/   Follow Us on Social!  Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.

Today on Equity, Rebecca Bellan caught up with Ali Kashani, co-founder and CEO of Serve Robotics, to unpack how Serve is navigating public markets, scaling real-world robotics, and building what it hopes is the future of last-mile delivery. Listen to the full episode to hear more about: How Serve went from a lidar-focused startup to a publicly traded company via reverse merger in 2023 What it takes to scale a delivery fleet across cities like L.A., Miami, and Dallas Why Kashani says Serve's sidewalk bots collect four times more visual data per day than GPT-4's vision model How ground robots and drones might work together to finally crack last-mile logistics Equity will be back Friday with our weekly news round-up, and special Google I/O coverage from Max. Don't miss it! Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.  Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes here. Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We'd also like to thank TechCrunch's audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode of FLYTECH Daily, Nick and Michelle cover four hot stories making waves in tech this week:  

The bots are here to stay, and they're everywhere. The trouble is, learning how to spot them. On this week's episode of Endless Thread, Ben and Amory discuss two stories from Reddit about undercover bots. First — is there such a thing as an easy tell for identifying bots? Second, what happens when internet users accept bots as fellow humans, only to discover the truth later? Show Notes: ‘The Worst Internet-Research Ethics Violation I Have Ever Seen' (The Atlantic) OpenAI used this subreddit to test AI persuasion (Tech Crunch)

Databricks just snatched up another AI company. This week, data analytics giant announced a $1 billion acquisition of Neon, a startup building an open-source alternative to AWS Aurora Postgres. It's the latest in a spree of high-profile buys, joining MosaicML and Tabular, as Databricks positions itself as the place to build, deploy, and scale AI-native applications.  Today, on TechCrunch's Equity podcast, hosts Kirsten Korosec, Max Zeff, and Anthony Ha unpack the Databricks–Neon deal, where Neon's serverless Postgres tech fits into the larger vision, and whether $1 billion still counts as “a lot of money” these days (spoiler: Kirsten and Anthony are on the fence). Listen to the full episode to hear about: Chime's long-awaited IPO plans and what the neobank's S-1 did (and didn't) reveal. AWS entering a ‘strategic partnership' that could shake up cloud infrastructure, especially as the Middle East ramps up its AI ambitions The return of the web series. Yes, really. Short-form scripted content is back, and investors are placing big bets on nostalgic trend Equity will be back next week, so don't miss it! Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.  Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes here. Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We'd also like to thank TechCrunch's audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite courtroom chaos, Rippling is still going full steam ahead. The HR tech startup at the center of an increasingly dramatic legal battle with rival Deel just raised a fresh $450 million in funding at a $16.8 billion valuation, and launched a new “Startup Stack” to woo early-stage companies—winning over Y Combinator as both an investor and a client. The funding lands amid the company's high-profile legal fight with Deel, which Rippling accuses of movie-worthy corporate espionage, complete with secret crypto payments and decoy Slack channels. Deel has denied the claims and fired back with its own lawsuit, calling Rippling's accusations a “distraction.” Today on Equity, Mary Ann Azevedo and Charles Rollet are digging into the HR tech showdown from legal drama to IPO implications and global intrigue. Listen to the full episode to hear more about: The alleged spy, Rippling's evidence, and Deel's denials YC's involvement in Rippling's latest project, and why the move is raising eyebrows The potential impact on IPOs for both companies  Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.  Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes here. Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We'd also like to thank TechCrunch's audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Shira Yevin, the visionary founder and CEO of Gritty In Pink. Shira is a music industry trailblazer who's shaking up the status quo with her revolutionary platform, INPINK—a dynamic marketplace designed to connect women and gender-expansive creators with paid opportunities in the music and entertainment industries. Backed by Live Nation and championed by advisors like Melissa Etheridge, Shira's mission to create economic equity in the arts has been spotlighted by major media outlets including Forbes, TechCrunch, Billboard, NPR, and The New York Times. She's also a sought-after speaker featured at events such as SXSW and New York Tech Week, bringing her bold voice and unapologetic activism to the forefront of cultural change. In this inspiring conversation, Shira shares how her punk rock roots and DIY ethos evolved into a full-fledged movement empowering marginalized voices in music. She discusses the journey behind launching INPINK, her advocacy for gender equity, and the challenges women face navigating a male-dominated industry. Shira and Catherine explore how Gritty In Pink is helping brands, festivals, and creators diversify their hiring practices, all while celebrating talent over tokenism. The episode also dives into the business model behind the platform, recent partnerships, and her vision for building a more inclusive and representative creative economy. If you're passionate about changing the face of entertainment, this is one conversation you don't want to miss. https://www.grittyinpink.co/ https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com  Follow Us On Social: Facebook: @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X): @sheangelsinvest Instagram: @sheangelinvestors | @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn: @catherinelgray | @sheangels  

There's a paradox in robotics that says: what's easy for humans is hard for robots, and vice versa. Complex calculations, for instance, are the domain of machines. Simple motor tasks like picking up an object, on the other hand, can stump a robot. That's where our guest comes in. Jeff Mahler has spent his career working on improving the capabilities of robotic object manipulation. After completing his postdoctoral work at UC Berkeley, Mahler went on to co-found Ambi Robotics with Stephen McKinley, David Gealy, Matt Matl, and Professor Ken Goldberg, building AI-powered robots for warehouse operations. He talks to us about the state of robot assistants and how soon—if ever—we might expect a full robot revolution.Further reading:TechCrunch article on the launch of Ambi StackUC Berkeley News article on Berkeley's latest breakthroughs in robot learningWIRED article covering Amazon's new tactile-sensing warehouse robot, Vulcan. Mahler et al.'s 2019  Science Robotics paper, which introduces Dex-Net 4.0 Watch Dex-Net 2.0 picking up objectsEpisode transcriptThis episode was written and hosted by Nathalia Alcantara and produced by Coby McDonald.Art by Michiko Toki and original music by Mogli Maureal. Additional music from Blue Dot Sessions.Support the show

At Stripe's Sessions conference this week, Mark Zuckerberg pitched what he calls the “ultimate business machine”: a fully automated, end-to-end AI ad engine promising to replace agencies, creatives, and media buyers. You just need to connect your bank account first.  Zuckerberg claims this could be one of the most valuable AI systems ever built, generating thousands of image ads and testing them in real time, but it raises a bigger question: is this the future of advertising, or just another wave of AI slop flooding your feed? Today, on TechCrunch's Equity podcast, hosts Kirsten Korosec, Max Zeff and Anthony Ha are unpacking why Zuckerberg's vision could be a marketer's dream or creative agency's worst nightmare, and what else caught our eye in tech this week. Listen to the full episode to hear about: How Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro managed to beat Pokémon Blue. Max was unimpressed, but the Equity crew thinks gamifying AI benchmarks might be the way to go. The countertop robot that handles some parts of cooking for you, with emphasis on some Uber's continued push into autonomous vehicles and what Waymo's doing in the mix A new venture from Brian Armstrong that just raised $130 million to develop cutting-edge age-reversing treatments, and who else is using AI to help us live forever Equity will be back next week, so stay tuned! Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.  Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes here. Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We'd also like to thank TechCrunch's audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amanda Silberling from TechCrunch joins Mikah Sargent this week! Spotify's latest update gives users more control over their listening experience. Students are using AI more widely to cheat. Microsoft's latest Surface devices still utilize Snapdragon X. And Netflix is rolling out a major UI redesign, which includes algorithmic changes and a TikTok-like feed. Amanda talks about Spotify's rollout of its latest update, which utilizes AI-driven features, including enhanced playlists and "smart shuffle." Mikah shares a New York Magazine article that highlights the increasing use of AI tools by students to complete assignments and the impact the reliance of these tools will have on students' critical thinking skills. Brian Westover of PCMag joins Mikah to talk about Microsoft's latest Surface devices, including a 13-inch Surface Laptop and 12-inch Surface Pro tablet. Mikah chats about Netflix rolling out a significant redesign of its user interface, incorporating algorithmic changes and a feed similar to TikTok, as a way to boost user engagement and keep users hooked in Netflix's ecosystem. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Amanda Silberling Guest: Brian Westover Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: zscaler.com/security spaceship.com/twit cachefly.com/twit

Amanda Silberling from TechCrunch joins Mikah Sargent this week! Spotify's latest update gives users more control over their listening experience. Students are using AI more widely to cheat. Microsoft's latest Surface devices still utilize Snapdragon X. And Netflix is rolling out a major UI redesign, which includes algorithmic changes and a TikTok-like feed. Amanda talks about Spotify's rollout of its latest update, which utilizes AI-driven features, including enhanced playlists and "smart shuffle." Mikah shares a New York Magazine article that highlights the increasing use of AI tools by students to complete assignments and the impact the reliance of these tools will have on students' critical thinking skills. Brian Westover of PCMag joins Mikah to talk about Microsoft's latest Surface devices, including a 13-inch Surface Laptop and 12-inch Surface Pro tablet. Mikah chats about Netflix rolling out a significant redesign of its user interface, incorporating algorithmic changes and a feed similar to TikTok, as a way to boost user engagement and keep users hooked in Netflix's ecosystem. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Amanda Silberling Guest: Brian Westover Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: zscaler.com/security spaceship.com/twit cachefly.com/twit

Amanda Silberling from TechCrunch joins Mikah Sargent this week! Spotify's latest update gives users more control over their listening experience. Students are using AI more widely to cheat. Microsoft's latest Surface devices still utilize Snapdragon X. And Netflix is rolling out a major UI redesign, which includes algorithmic changes and a TikTok-like feed. Amanda talks about Spotify's rollout of its latest update, which utilizes AI-driven features, including enhanced playlists and "smart shuffle." Mikah shares a New York Magazine article that highlights the increasing use of AI tools by students to complete assignments and the impact the reliance of these tools will have on students' critical thinking skills. Brian Westover of PCMag joins Mikah to talk about Microsoft's latest Surface devices, including a 13-inch Surface Laptop and 12-inch Surface Pro tablet. Mikah chats about Netflix rolling out a significant redesign of its user interface, incorporating algorithmic changes and a feed similar to TikTok, as a way to boost user engagement and keep users hooked in Netflix's ecosystem. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Amanda Silberling Guest: Brian Westover Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: zscaler.com/security spaceship.com/twit cachefly.com/twit

Today, we're bringing you an episode of our sister podcast, StrictlyVC Download. StrictlyVC's Alex Gove caught up with Eric Slesinger from 201 Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on seed-stage defense tech startups in Europe. They discuss Eric's journey from CIA to investor and how he recognized the untapped potential in European defense tech while others were dismissive, and how he's working to overcome the cultural taboo that once made defense investments "bad manners" in European VC circles. Equity will be back on Friday with our weekly news roundup, so stay tuned! Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.  Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes here. Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We'd also like to thank TechCrunch's audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patreon: Join our Patreon for extra-long episodes and ad-free content: www.patreon.com/techishEpisode description:Techish host Michael Berhane and TechCrunch reporter Dominic-Madori Davis dive into Meta's attempt to tackle loneliness the AI app that lets you cheat at, well... everything, and what Duolingo's AI-first strategy means for the future of work. They also chat about Ryan Coogler's big moves with Sinners and why the Kardashians' latest venture into the food industry is raising eyebrows.Chapters:01:01 Zuck Wants to Cure Loneliness With AI08:40 The AI App for Cheating at Life14:56 Duolingo and the AI Jobs Crisis20:01 Sinners Is Changing the Game27:04 Serena Ventures Backs Khloe's K Popcorn BrandCozy Earth is offering 40% off with code TECHISH: https://cozyearth.com/Extra Reading & ResourcesZuckerberg Says in Response to Loneliness Epidemic, He Will Create Most of Your Friends Using Artificial Intelligence [Futurism]Startups launch products to catch people using AI cheating app Cluely [TechCrunch]Is Duolingo the face of an AI jobs crisis? [TechCrunch]Serena Ventures Backs Khloe Kardashian's New Consumer Brand[POCIT]Subscribe to Dom's Substack: https://theblackcat.substack.com/Tickets for Founder Mixer during NY Tech Week: https://partiful.com/e/ET4FU37wBAJpRVk9jSxdEveryday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyJoin our Patreon for extra-long episodes and ad-free content: https://www.patreon.com/techish Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@techishpod/Advertise on Techish: https://goo.gl/forms/MY0F79gkRG6Jp8dJ2————————————————————Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast episode represents the personal opinions and experiences of the presenters and is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered professional advice. Neither host nor guests can be held responsible for any direct or incidental loss incurred by applying any of the information. Always do your own research or seek independent advice before making any decisions. Stay in touch with the hashtag #Techishhttps://www.instagram.com/techishpod/https://www.instagram.com/abadesi/https://www.instagram.com/michaelberhane_/ https://www.instagram.com/hustlecrewlive/https://www.instagram.com/pocintech/Email us at techishpod@gmail.com ...