Podcasts about vikrum aiyer

Today on Inevitable, we're joined by three guests to focus on the clean energy tax provisions currently at risk in the Congressional budget reconciliation process—what's being called the One Big Beautiful Bill. This is our second episode on this topic this week. Our guests are Jeremy Harrell, CEO at the right-of-center clean energy policy firm ClearPath; Spencer Nelson, Director of Federal Affairs at Form Energy; and Vikrum Aiyer, Head of Global Public Policy and External Affairs at Heirloom.The goal of this conversation is to get to the root of the proposed changes in the legislation passed by the House and now under consideration in the Senate. We also explore which amendments are on the table and how those of us working in climate and energy innovation can help influence the outcome.In this episode, we cover: ⁠[01:06]⁠ Why this bill matters for climate tech⁠[03:19]⁠ Jeremy's background in conservative energy policy⁠[04:08]⁠ Spencer on Form's long-duration batteries⁠[05:40]⁠ Vikrum explains Heirloom's DAC technology⁠[08:44]⁠ What the reconciliation process actually means⁠[13:42]⁠ Why the FEOC rule could block progress⁠[17:41]⁠ Why startups need credit transferability⁠[25:01]⁠ 60-day window threatens new projects⁠[27:36]⁠ What's at stake for solar and storage⁠[31:32]⁠ Energy cost risks if credits vanish⁠[35:42]⁠ How founders and VCs can take action⁠[41:56]⁠ Tips for contacting your senator directlyEpisode recorded on June 6, 2025 (Published on June 12, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

As someone says goodbye to "Fashion Is Your Business", the original hosts Marc, Pavan, and Rob reflect on six-and-a-half years of FIYB, including: how it started, international travels, memorable guests, live audience experiences, behind the scenes tales, when they realized the show was really a hit, the origins of guest snacks on the show, how the podcast impacted government, entrepreneurs, and inspired a business, and much more. Plus, what's next? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The #1 Donald Trump Impersonator in the World, John Di Domenico, talks with "American Enough" podcast host Vikrum Aiyeron about how comedy, satire, and late night TV is dividing, uniting, and trolling America. John is an American, Emmy Nominated, Actor, Writer, Comedian and Impersonator, he performs many different characters and is best known for his award-winning Donald Trump impersonation.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are unlikely heroes that have surfaced amidst the novel Covid-19 pandemic. Designated as critical to the relief infrastructure by the United States Government, third party delivery services have enabled communities in a multitude of ways...largely allowing us to transport goods in a time when the movement of people has been restricted. Our guest today is Vikrum Aiyer, VP of Public Policy and Strategic Communications for Postmates. This conversation took place on May 8, 2020 as part of our Covid Conversations series. We are featuring daily conversations with over 25 business leaders and influencers, focused on how folks are managing business amidst Covid-19. Our team is putting together a free guide that will highlight the resources and references mentioned across these conversations. DM us on our instagram handle @BellwetherCulture, and we will send you a download link once the series is fully published.

How do you protect on-demand or gig workers, their fleets, and their customers, during the COVID-19 crisis? How can companies like Postmates, which rely on going workers for their business model, succeed and survive, what particular concerns and considerations are in play, and what happens as restaurants and other suppliers close and face hard times? Vikrum Aiyer, Vice President of Public Policy & Strategic Communications at Postmates and Former Obama White House Senior Advisor, joins from San Francisco with perspective, insights, solutions, and a go-to enter to the playbook.

How do you protect on-demand or gig workers, their fleets, and their customers, during the COVID-19 crisis? How can companies like Postmates, which rely on going workers for their business model, succeed and survive, what particular concerns and considerations are in play, and what happens as restaurants and other suppliers close and face hard times? Vikrum Aiyer, Vice President of Public Policy & Strategic Communications at Postmates and Former Obama White House Senior Advisor, joins from San Francisco with perspective, insights, solutions, and a go-to enter to the playbook.

How do you protect on-demand or gig workers, their fleets, and their customers, during the COVID-19 crisis? How can companies like Postmates, which rely on going workers for their business model, succeed and survive, what particular concerns and considerations are in play, and what happens as restaurants and other suppliers close and face hard times? Vikrum Aiyer, Vice President of Public Policy & Strategic Communications at Postmates and Former Obama White House Senior Advisor, joins from San Francisco with perspective, insights, solutions, and a go-to enter to the playbook.

How do you protect on-demand or gig workers, their fleets, and their customers, during the COVID-19 crisis? How can companies like Postmates, which rely on going workers for their business model, succeed and survive, what particular concerns and considerations are in play, and what happens as restaurants and other suppliers close and face hard times? Vikrum Aiyer, Vice President of Public Policy & Strategic Communications at Postmates and Former Obama White House Senior Advisor, joins from San Francisco with perspective, insights, solutions, and a go-to enter to the playbook.

How do you protect on-demand or gig workers, their fleets, and their customers, during the COVID-19 crisis? How can companies like Postmates, which rely on going workers for their business model, succeed and survive, what particular concerns and considerations are in play, and what happens as restaurants and other suppliers close and face hard times? Vikrum Aiyer, Vice President of Public Policy & Strategic Communications at Postmates and Former Obama White House Senior Advisor, joins from San Francisco with perspective, insights, solutions, and a go-to enter to the playbook.

How do you protect on-demand or gig workers, their fleets, and their customers, during the COVID-19 crisis? How can companies like Postmates, which rely on going workers for their business model, succeed and survive, what particular concerns and considerations are in play, and what happens as restaurants and other suppliers close and face hard times? Vikrum Aiyer, Vice President of Public Policy & Strategic Communications at Postmates and Former Obama White House Senior Advisor, joins from San Francisco with perspective, insights, solutions, and a go-to enter to the playbook.

Presidential speechwriters, Pentagon advisors, and the staff who help confirm Supreme Court justices don’t often grace the front pages of newspapers or tabloids. But in their book The West Wingers, 18 former White House staff detail how their own personal stories helped shape the work of the nation. Editor Gautam Raghavan, and contributing writers Aneesh Raman & Stephanie Valencia, join host Vikrum Aiyer.

Ahead of the November 6th elections, executive director of the College Republican National Committee (CRNC) Ted Dooley  joins Vikrum Aiyer. on location at the Concordia Annual Summit in New York City, to discuss how the GOP engages college campuses across the country to  be an “R” in the age of Trump. Ted Dooley is the Executive Director of the College Republican National Committee. Prior to that, he served as the organization’s National Co-Chairman, Regional Vice-Chairman, and was a three-term State Chairman for the Massachusetts Alliance of College Republicans. Aside from his work with College Republicans, Ted most recently worked as Vice President of Merrimack Potomac + Charles, a full-service strategic communications firm based in Boston and Concord, NH where he oversaw a broad range of strategic communications campaigns across the region. Ted began his political career managing and consulting for local and state Republican campaigns in Massachusetts. During the 2016 cycle, Ted served as a digital media advisor to New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu’s campaign. Ted has been quoted in The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, Politico, CNN, ABC Nightly News, Fusion, Univision and other outlets for his insights on millennial politics and the Republican party.

How blockchain could transform the world…As revolutions in technology continue to change the way we interact with the world, perhaps no one tool promises to change the way we move assets around the world other than Blockchain. The mystique of blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies continue to be investigated by skeptics by are being leveraged by believers to change everything from the way we bank, to the way we vote, to the way we build governments. Sam Cassat, the Chief Strategy Officer of Consensys (one of the world’s leading block chain labs), joins Vikrum Aiyer on location at the Concordia Annual Summit in New York City.

Has our broken immigration and criminal justice systems locked too many people out from the American dream? Todd Schulte, President of FWD.us, a bipartisan political organization that believes America’s families, communities, and economy thrive when more individuals are able to achieve their full potential, joins Vikrum Aiyer at the 2018 Concordia Annual Summit in New York City.In this episode: The Trump administration’s political rhetoric vs. policy The objective of drastically fewer immgirants Designing an immigration system that works in the 21st Century requires pressure on officials Certain industries require immigrants, and as immigration systems changes, industries must change America’s economy and identity both hurt How our broken immigration and criminal justice systems have locked too many people out from the American dream Keeping the American promise

How do we train and upscale workers for the 21st Century? And how can an entire pipeline of 7 million formerly incarcerated workers, seeking to be productive in society, “skill-up”. contribute, and fill roles competitively in the labor market, connect with willing and welcoming company? Stanley Richards, Executive Vice President at The Fortune Society, a non-profit organization based in New York City, NY with a mission to support successful reentry from prison and promote alternatives to incarceration, joins Vikrum Aiyer at the 2018 Concordia Annual Summit in New York City. Richards serves at The Fortune Society, a $35 million non-profit organization based in New York City, with a mission to support successful reentry from jail and prison and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. Mr. Richards is second in charge and is involved in all aspects of the agency including the development and implementation of programs – discharge planning, education, workforce development, HIV/AIDS services, supportive housing, family services, substance use disorder treatment and mental health services, alternatives to incarceration and access to health care. Mr. Richards is a formerly incarcerated man of color and has over 30 years of experience in the criminal justice field. Mr. Richards has developed the expertise and extensive knowledge of programs, services, policies, and systems that impact the lives of people involved in the criminal justice system and reenter society. Mr. Richards was honored by the Obama Administration as a “Champion of Change” for his commitment to helping formerly incarcerated individuals reenter successfully into society. Mr. Richards was also a member of Governor Cuomo’s Ending the Epidemic Task Force which produced New York State’s Blueprint to End the AIDS Epidemic. Mr. Richards was a key participant in the NYC Discharge Planning Collaboration launched in 2004 by NYC Dept. of Corrections (DOC) and NYC Dept. of Homeless Services (DHS) that led to the launch of the Rikers Island Discharge Enhancement (RIDE) program. Mr. Richards graduated from Medaille College. He is certified as a Counseling Aide by the NYS Department of Labor. Mr. Richards was a Robert Wood Johnson Fellow in their Developing Leadership Program to Reduce Substance Use and completed Columbia University’s Institute for Non-Profit, School of Business Management, Executive Management Program. Mr. Richards is a member of the Board of Directors of JobsFirstNYC, an intermediary with a mission to reduce the number of out-of-school and out-of-work young people in NYC He also serves on the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) Juvenile Justice Oversight Board and the Vera Institute of Justice National Leadership Group: Pathways from Prison to Post-Secondary Education; as well as the Vera Institutional Review Board. Mr. Richards also serves on Community Board (7) in the Bronx.

Is America a land of abundance, or a place of scarcity? There are so many aspects of being human that can sometimes eclipse the notion of what it means to be a citizen. In this episode, we talk to Vikrum Aiyer. He’s VP of Global Public Policy at Postmates and Former Senior Advisor at the White House. He hosts American Enough, a weekly town hall-style podcast discussing current events and American ideals. When you think “American,” what comes to mind? Are you comfortable, or nervous? How do you participate in American life? And how can you participate more fully?

Fighting Family Separation at the Border… While The White House & Congress must act to rescind a policy of cruelty playing at on America’s border with family separation, a number of legal aid services are seeking donations, volunteers, and language experts throughout the country. Find out who needs what and where with this special list of resources compiled by Slate. ______________________________________________ There’s a lot going on in America (and the world) and Vikrum Aiyer — Former White House Senior Economic Policy Advisor (Obama Administration) and Former Chief of Staff of the United States Patent and Trademark Office — has something to say about it all and about what it takes these days to be American enough.“American Enough™ with Vikrum Aiyer”, is a weekly, town hall-style podcast discussing your questions and comments about current events, politics, and American ideals. As events unfold, Vikrum will share timely commentary wherever he is, as he travels, between meetings, and even en route to the office.

Bleeding America’s spirit of inclusivity… Immigrants seeking asylum at the US border are being separated from their children en masse due to new enforcement policies by the Department of Justice. But exactly how many kids can’t be accounted for is being inconsistently reported. The Intercept’s Debbie Nathan joins “American Enough” to clarify what is resulting in a mass separation of families, and how this is bleeding America’s spirit of inclusivity.Bio: Debbie Nathan is an investigative reporter for The Intercept. She lives in Brownsville, Texas, on the Mexico border, and has been writing about the border and immigration for over three decades. Those interested in following up with her directly about border patrol politics can email her directly at: naess2@gmail.com.  ______________________________________________ There’s a lot going on in America (and the world) and Vikrum Aiyer — Former White House Senior Economic Policy Advisor (Obama Administration) and Former Chief of Staff of the United States Patent and Trademark Office — has something to say about it all and about what it takes these days to be American enough.“American Enough™ with Vikrum Aiyer”, is a weekly, town hall-style podcast discussing your questions and comments about current events, politics, and American ideals. As events unfold, Vikrum will share timely commentary wherever he is, as he travels, between meetings, and even en route to the office.

Vogue Model, and Instagram celebrity, Richie Shazam Khan joins the pod for a reflection during PRIDE month on how gender non-conformity on the fashion runway has sparked a new brand of queer activism… Richie Shazam is an Artist, Curator and Model born in New York City and currently based between New York and Berlin. Recent and upcoming performances include “Love Me Installation” New Museum, NY NY (2017), “Blind Audition” at Kunsthalle Basel, Switzerland (2018), Zucca Project Space, Venice, Italy (2018), and “CELL ECHO”, Yuz Museum Shanghai (2018). Shazam’s artistic and curatorial approach investigates subversive radical queer ideologies by deconstructing antiquated notions of gender identity through text, photography and performance. Her work has been featured in publications such as Vogue, Novembre, Cultured Mag, Elephant Journal, i-D, Garage, amongst others. __________________________________________________________________________ There’s a lot going on in America (and the world) and Vikrum Aiyer — Former White House Senior Economic Policy Advisor (Obama Administration) and Former Chief of Staff of the United States Patent and Trademark Office — has something to say about it all and about what it takes these days to be American enough.“American Enough™ with Vikrum Aiyer”, is a weekly, town hall-style podcast discussing your questions and comments about current events, politics, and American ideals. As events unfold, Vikrum will share timely commentary wherever he is, as he travels, between meetings, and even en route to the office.  

At 4pm on June 4th, 2018  — a Monday — the White House issued a statement from the President, and it said: “The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow. They disagree with their president because he insists that they proudly stand for the national anthem. Hand on heart in honor of the great men and women of our military and people of our country.” To say nothing of the fact that the White House just issued a statement by the President in which he references himself in the third person, the statement actually sets off a new precedent for any Oval Office holder but frankly for the United States Constitution. The very notion of American identity has been rooted in dissent and free expression, in disagreeing with one’s neighbor, by having the right the ability and frankly the marketplace of ideas to have that conversation to debate it to engage in disagreement and to yell at one another — but knowing that the extent of one’s words stopped at the water’s edge of the end of that sentiment. It didn’t get quelled, didn’t get squashed, and get silenced and get banned. It didn’t get disinvited. The Philadelphia Eagles. It seems ironic — Philadelphia as the birthplace of democracy. The eagle as a national symbol. For a president to start allocating his measurement of who is or is not American enough — it’s not only dangerous, but it underscores the reason why this podcast is so important. __________________________________________________________________________ There’s a lot going on in America (and the world) and Vikrum Aiyer — Former White House Senior Economic Policy Advisor (Obama Administration) and Former Chief of Staff of the United States Patent and Trademark Office — has something to say about it all and about what it takes these days to be American enough.“American Enough™ with Vikrum Aiyer”, is a weekly, town hall-style podcast discussing your questions and comments about current events, politics, and American ideals. As events unfold, Vikrum will share timely commentary wherever he is, as he travels, between meetings, and even en route to the office.  

The ACLU‘s Director the Racial Justice Program, Dennis Parker, reflects with host Vikrum Aiyer, on the 64th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the progress we’ve made in racial inclusion, and the setbacks we confront…Guest bio: Dennis Parker (@DennisDParker) is director of the ACLU Racial Justice Program, leading its efforts in combating discrimination and addressing other issues with a disproportionate impact on communities of color. Parker oversees work to combat the “School-to-Prison” pipeline, the profiling of airline passengers subjected to searches and wrongfully placed on watch lists and the racial bias in the criminal justice system. Prior to joining the ACLU, Parker was the chief of the Civil Rights Bureau in the Office of New York State Attorney General under Eliot Spitzer. He previously spent 14 years at the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund. Parker has also worked with the New York Legal Aid Society. He teaches Race, Poverty and Constitutional Law at New York Law School. He graduated from Harvard Law School and Middlebury College. _________________________________________________________There’s a lot going on in America (and the world) and Vikrum Aiyer — Former White House Senior Economic Policy Advisor (Obama Administration) and Former Chief of Staff of the United States Patent and Trademark Office — has something to say about it all and about what it takes these days to be American enough. “American Enough™ with Vikrum Aiyer”, is a weekly, town hall-style podcast discussing your questions and comments about current events, politics, and American ideals. As events unfold, Vikrum will share timely commentary wherever he is, as he travels, between meetings, and even en route to the office.  

Head of the NFL Alumni Association’s New York Chapter, and former NY Jets footballer, Michel Faulkner, debates the NFL’s decision penalizing players who kneel during the national anthem to protest policy brutality and racial inequities…Staking a position that defends the ban, while supporting civic protest, Faulkner and host Vikrum Aiyer also debate the state of America’s right to free expression in an era where everyone from the President to the ACLU and now even sports franchises are shaping how and where we are able to speak our minds.Guest Bio: For more than 32 years, Rev. Michel Faulkner has dedicated his life to serving God and his community. Growing up in Washington, D.C., he was an all-star football player that became a freshman All-American and four-year starter at VirginiaTech. In 1980, Rev.Faulkner graduated with a B.A. in communications. Then in 1985 he earned his M.A. in Education with emphasis in Career Counseling. After college, Rev. Faulkner played two seasons (1980-82) in the NFL, one season with the NY Jets. In 1983, Faulkner returned to Virginia Tech and graduated with a Master’s. Upon completing of his Master’s degree, he became the Assistant Dean of Students at Liberty University in 1985, and was promoted to Vice President for Urban Ministry in 1987. In 1988, Rev. Faulkner and his family moved to Times Square in New York City, to run a soup kitchen as Assistant Pastor for the Lamb’s Church. A little more than one year later, he joined the staff of Calvary Baptist Church in Manhattan as Pastor for Youth and Community Outreach, where he was ordained inDecember 1991. While at Calvary he also served as co-chairman for the New York City Board of Education’s HIV/ AIDS Task Force from 1991- 1994 In 1993, Rev. Faulkner became the Senior Pastor of Central Baptist Church in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He was able to grow the congregation from an average of 50 weekly attendees to over 400. While serving as Senior Pastor at Central he also served as the Vice President for Community Government Relations at King’s College from 1998 to 2002. He served on Mayor Giuliani’s Task Force on Police Community Relations and wasa Commissioner for the City Charter Revision. Also from June of 2002 to February of 2004, Rev. Faulkner served as World Vision’s Director of U.S. Programs in New York City helping to give share to their 9/11 response in NYC. In 2005, Rev. Faulkner founded the Institute for Leadership, a 501-3c organization to develop leaders and bring scalable solutions to difficult community problems. In June 2006, Rev. Faulkner he founded the New Horizon Church of New York in Harlem on the purpose to build bridges between the economically and socially disadvantaged in the name ofChrist. In 2010 Rev. Faulkner he was the Republican candidate for Congress for New York’s 15th Congressional district. Also in 2010, Rev. Faulkner published his first book “Restoring the American Dream”, which highlights his vision and goals to save the American Dream for future generations. In September 2015 Rev. Faulkner became a Republican candidate for Mayor and in May 2017 switched to a candidacy for Comptroller. He was nominated by Republican, Conservative, Reformed and Independence Parties. He received 22 percent of the vote November 8 2017. Rev. Faulkner has completed four marathons including the 2010 NYC Marathon which was a lifelong goal for him. In October 27, 2013, he completed the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington D.C. Rev. Faulkner is also a frequent commenter for numerous national and local media outlets including CNN and FOX News. In February 2014 Rev. Faulkner lost his wife, Virginia, of more than 31 years to lupus. Together they raised 3 children in New York City, all have graduated College. In March 2015, Rev. Faulkner married Dr. Sarai Padilla. She is a practicing psychologist for more than 30 years and has one daughter and three grandchildren.

Whistleblower Brittany Kaiser and information privacy legal expert Cameron Russell join MouthMedia Network CEO Rob Sanchez for a wide-ranging discussion on data privacy… Brittany Kaiser (international law, diplomacy and data-driven campaigning professional and Co-Founder of the Digital Asset Trade Association (DATA), as well as former Business Development Director for Cambridge Analytica) and Cameron Russell (Executive Director, Fordham Center on Law and Information Policy (CLIP), and Adjunct Professor of Law teaching Information Privacy law at Fordham University) join MouthMedia Network CEO Rob Sanchez in the MouthMedia Network studios powered by Sennheiser. With an introduction by host Vikrum Aiyer.In this episode: Kaiser discusses working in data and politics, her prior work with Cambridge Analytica, why she left there, being a whistleblower because of the way the data industry worked in a parasitic way, her goal to be contributing on how to change things, and the social and legal contracts with companies who collect data A review of what happened with Cambridge Analytica and Facebook, and how the revelations about them made Kaiser reflect on everything that happened The lack of due diligence, thinking about ethics, laws, whether they are sufficient to protect individuals Is personal data “property”, and the control we should have over it Paying the price for the way we’ve been sharing info, the boundaries of privacy and identity How tracking and keep up where one’s personal info is going to, and monetization and the cost transparency of goods Is data a public utility or commodity, should data be regulated the same way? Why Kaiser is against the “Delete Facebook” campaign. The potential solution offered by blockchain, trackable, traceable, and an encrypted digital identity that would require consent for every usage Are lawmakers from the wrong generation to have meaningful discourse around these issues, and how do we build a system that works? Do tech giants want to reform on their own? Issues with using proprietary algorithms (entrenching existing bias) in proceedings while allowing due process When talking about use of data on government side vs. private company, is utilizing citizens’ data a form of taxation by the government? The government needs to maintain law and order, but needs transparency – yet some things need to be covert Most US residents don’t realize there is data to be opting out of, but in Europe it is by default opt out The issue with “data brokers” Protection for children regarding data, and whether that should be extended to adults, as also in COPPA The hope that privacy is not dead, and Kaiser’s appeal to Mark Zuckerberg to offer transparency of data on Facebook Are we at privacy-risk with new technology, and is privacy perhaps something we can only protect for our children?

What if the source of this polarization in our country had little to do with where people actually fall on the issues, or what people actually believe in? The Intercept’s Zaid Jilani joins the pod to unpack a new study that identifies how a team-sports mentality in America is wedging more of us against each other, rather than a division on ideas or policies. Mapping the evolution and rise of tribal sports in politics, Jilani highlights how our politics exploit this distinction between team & topic, and what that means for the day to day governance in our democracy. According to The Intercept, “Zaid Jilani is a journalist who hails from Atlanta, Georgia. He has previously worked as a reporter-blogger for ThinkProgress, United Republic, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, and Alternet. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs and received his master’s in public administration from Syracuse University in 2014.” _________________________________________________________There’s a lot going on in America (and the world) and Vikrum Aiyer — Former White House Senior Economic Policy Advisor (Obama Administration) and Former Chief of Staff of the United States Patent and Trademark Office — has something to say about it all and about what it takes these days to be American enough. “American Enough™ with Vikrum Aiyer”, is a weekly, town hall-style podcast discussing your questions and comments about current events, politics, and American ideals. As events unfold, Vikrum will share timely commentary wherever he is, as he travels, between meetings, and even en route to the office.  

Who is American Enough under this Administration? The Deputy Director of the ACLU, the actor & co-producer of the Netflix-distributed documentary “Meet the Patels”, and the nation’s youngest & openly gay mayor to be shortlisted as a presidential contender, all join Vikrum Aiyer on the podcast stage at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, to examine the American identity.Guest bios: Ravi Vasant Patel is an American actor, who recently wrote & directed with his sister, an award-winning autobiographical documentary (distributed by Netflix) Meet the Patels, which examines love & the South Asian immigrant. Fox Searchlight films are currently working with Ravi and his sister on a wide-screen release remake. He is a former investment banker; an Economics and International Studies double major graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill; and his work has been featured alongside Aziz Ansari & John Stamos.   Mayor Pete Buttigieg is a Harvard-educated Rhodes Scholar and Afghanistan War veteran who’s drawn national attention from media pundits and politicians since becoming the city’s leader at the age of 29 in 2011. He is rumored to be a presidential contender in 2024 but is presently on the path of becoming the 1st openly gay person ever to be elected to state office in Indiana.   Jaweer Brown is the Associate Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and has lead the rebranding,  corporate partnerships, and digital outreach overhauls for the ACLU since the election of Trump. She has historical lead reproductive rights campaigns for the ACLU, and lead similar campaigns for Planned Parenthood. She is the daughter of bi-racial parents; a graduate of UC Boulder, Yale, and Emory; was named by In-Style Magazine as one of the top women to watch shaping American life.  

When a successful entrepreneur steps into the political arena to reclaim American decency… What do Orange County, comedian Chelsea Handler, and Emily’s List all have in common? They are tectonic forces that are powering Rachel Payne‘s campaign in California’s 48th congressional district. Traditionally a Republican stronghold, Payne — a former philanthropist and entrepreneur — tells us why she is stepping out of private life and leaning into public life to reclaim American decency, stand up for Unions while advancing Tech, and put out a Congressman who has been tied to the Russian Government. Rachel Payne has built an exceptional career as a technology executive and entrepreneur, while actively involved in philanthropic activities. A recognized thought leader in the advancement of technology to reshape our world, she champions policies that make a meaningful place for everyone in the new economy. Payne was born in San Bernardino, California and grew up in a working-class family. When her family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, her father became a union operating engineer. After her parents were divorced, Payne’s mother worked multiple jobs to support her family as a single mom of three children. Payne won numerous scholarships, worked several part-time jobs and took out loans to become the first person in her family to go to college. She has lead teams at eBay, helped Google stand up its first philanthropic arm, and has also helped bring lines of credit to the rural poor in other parts of the world. There’s a lot going on in America (and the world) and Vikrum Aiyer — Former White House Senior Economic Policy Advisor (Obama Administration) and Former Chief of Staff of the United States Patent and Trademark Office — has something to say about it all and about what it takes these days to be American enough. “American Enough™ with Vikrum Aiyer”, is a weekly, town hall-style podcast discussing your questions and comments about current events, politics, and American ideals. As events unfold, Vikrum will share timely commentary wherever he is, as he travels, between meetings, and even en route to the office. “American Enough” and MouthMedia Network do not necessarily support nor endorse any specific candidate for elected office.

What happens to faith in career civil servants and institutions when scandals hit public service?It’s easy to lose faith in public officials, political appointees, and inner aides to any President when you see a drip and drab of headlines, gossip, and resignations. On the heels of Trump’s 34th senior departure (in Gary Cohn), host Vikrum Aiyer reflects on his own missteps as a political appointee, and describes how trust in public service and institutions should not be lost due to the tireless Career Civil Servants we never hear about in the headlines but still show up to work every day regardless of who’s  president.______________________________________________________________Join Vikrum Aiyer when he takes the South by Southwest stage March 11th, 2018. Open to all badgeholders, the SXSW Podcast Stage will host up to 36 podcasts as diverse and varied as the crowd at SXSW.  Click here for more details.There’s a lot going on in America (and the world) and Vikrum Aiyer — Former White House Senior Economic Policy Advisor (Obama Administration) and Former Chief of Staff of the United States Patent and Trademark Office — has something to say about it all and about what it takes these days to be American enough. “American Enough™ with Vikrum Aiyer”, is a weekly, town hall-style podcast discussing your questions and comments about current events, politics, and American ideals. As events unfold, Vikrum will share timely commentary wherever he is, as he travels, between meetings, and even en route to the office.

As Head of Global Public Policy @ Postmates, Vikrum Aiyer shares his thoughts on what it means to be experience driven. He talks about how brands need to use their "superpower for good," and how Postmates used logistics to provide relief for evacuees from recent disasters.

How do you represent your community in Washington, when it’s been said that Washington stopped representing the people a long time ago? Sam Jammal, the son of Arab and Latino immigrants, and candidate for Congress in southern California’s 39th congressional district, joins the pod to discuss why running for something can help restore our trust and values in the American Dream. Jammal is a lawyer and candidate for Orange County’s 39th Congressional District. As the son of Latino and Arab American immigrant parents who came to this country to work hard and build a better life, Sam worked his way through high school, college and law school. He has spent his entire career fighting to improve his community and is committed to building a better future for the next generation. Sam most recently worked as a Manager and Attorney at Tesla and, before that, as a Director at SolarCity. Prior to joining the clean energy movement, Sam was a Chief of Staff in Congress and served in the Obama Administration as a presidential appointee at the Department of Commerce. Sam began his career as a civil rights attorney at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. ______________________________________________________________ There’s a lot going on in America (and the world) and Vikrum Aiyer — Former White House Senior Economic Policy Advisor (Obama Administration) and Former Chief of Staff of the United States Patent and Trademark Office — has something to say about it all and about what it takes these days to be American enough. “American Enough™ with Vikrum Aiyer”, is a weekly, town hall-style podcast discussing your questions and comments about current events, politics, and American ideals. As events unfold, Vikrum will share timely commentary wherever he is, as he travels, between meetings, and even en route to the office. If political commentary, having your say, and America matter to you — you’re going to love this podcast. “American Enough” and MouthMedia Network do not necessarily support nor endorse any specific candidate for elected office.

Bending the arc of social justice through story telling… When statements of American values and principles get boiled down to bumper stickers, sound bytes, or 140-character quips, the moral clarity of what we stand for can quickly get lost. For film maker and media strategist Frank Chi, video content still remains the preeminent way we can learn about one another, share stories, bring art and design to animate discussion around some of the most vexing challenges of our generation. With work featured by the NY Times and Rolling Stone Magazine, his most recent film, produced with comedian Hassan Minaj and the Smithsonian Institution, Chi reflects upon the immigrant experience as told through the 1946 novel “America is in the Heart.” ​​Through the power of film, Chi reflects upon how story telling can bend the long arc of justice in the United States. _________________________________________________________ There’s a lot going on in America (and the world) and Vikrum Aiyer — Former White House Senior Economic Policy Advisor (Obama Administration) and Former Chief of Staff of the United States Patent and Trademark Office — has something to say about it all and about what it takes these days to be American enough. “American Enough™ with Vikrum Aiyer”, is a weekly, town hall-style podcast discussing your questions and comments about current events, politics, and American ideals. As events unfold, Vikrum will share timely commentary wherever he is, as he travels, between meetings, and even en route to the office. If political commentary, having your say, and America matter to you — you’re going to love this podcast.

Fake news: How do journalists do their work, when the very concept of a free press gets attacked for being fake, daily? POLITICO reporter and Playbook co-author, Daniel Lippman, and long time contributor to TIME, Bloomberg, VICE Media and the NYDaily news, Timothy Burger, join the podcast to discuss how the identity of America’s free press is being shaped in an era where the truthiness of sourcing is challenged by the Oval Office. Daniel Lippman is a reporter for POLITICO and a co-author of POLITICO’s Playbook, the most indispensable morning newsletter for the biggest influencers in politics. He graduated from The Hotchkiss School in 2008 and from The George Washington University in 2012. Daniel hails from the Berkshires in western Massachusetts and enjoys playing tennis, seeing movies and trying out new restaurants in his free time. Timothy Burger is the Chief Executive of Plumb Concepts Consulting, and a freelance journalist, who has covered the White House and Congress for outlets ranging from VICE Media, Roll Call, TIME, Bloomberg, Town & Country Magazine, and the NY Daily News. He graduated from Dartmouth College and lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife Kiki and their newborn Dahl. __________________________________________________________ There’s a lot going on in America (and the world) and Vikrum Aiyer — Former White House Senior Economic Policy Advisor (Obama Administration) and Former Chief of Staff of the United States Patent and Trademark Office — has something to say about it all and about what it takes these days to be American enough. “American Enough™ with Vikrum Aiyer”, is a weekly, town hall-style podcast discussing your questions and comments about current events, politics, and American ideals. As events unfold, Vikrum will share timely commentary wherever he is, as he travels, between meetings, and even en route to the office. If political commentary, having your say, and America matter to you — you’re going to love this podcast.

What happens when a spy for the CIA & national security advisor doesn’t like their boss — the President of the United States? In the case of Ned Price, he quit. Like many patriots who serve clandestine roles for our nation’s defense, military, and national security apparatus — Ned was trained to quarterback the play a coach called, regardless of party or politics. But within the first few months of this Administration, everything from our National Security Advisor resigning, to the fumbling of security clearances, to bombastic cuts to our diplomatic core started retooling the way America’s bravest intelligence officers were able to represent our values overseas. Ned Price, now an NBC commentator and Fellow at the New America Foundation, breaks down the risk North Korea, Russia, and our president’s tweets have on the perception of America’s security strength overseas. ____________________________________________________________________ There’s a lot going on in America (and the world) and Vikrum Aiyer — Former White House Senior Economic Policy Advisor (Obama Administration) and Former Chief of Staff of the United States Patent and Trademark Office — has something to say about it all and about what it takes these days to be American enough. “American Enough™ with Vikrum Aiyer”, is a weekly, town hall-style podcast discussing your questions and comments about current events, politics, and American ideals. As events unfold, Vikrum will share timely commentary wherever he is, as he travels, between meetings, and even en route to the office. If political commentary, having your say, and America matter to you — you’re going to love this podcast.

Net neutrality with Ambassador Daniel Sepulveda…Does the Internet need rules? From AOL instant messenger to Sunday night’s with Netflix to Twitter trolls — the world wide web has facilitated everything from global trade and dating to a modern information revolution. For many, it’s even shaped our perception of cultures in the world around us.But if the Internet is part of your identity — membership is about to get a lot more expensive. New “net neutrality” rules governing how to access content online are being proposed by President Trump’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC). And Ambassador Daniel Sepulveda, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary at the US State Department, weighs in on how Internet technologies and the rules that govern them are shaping how America’s identity is exported the world._____________________________________________________________________ There’s a lot going on in America (and the world) and Vikrum Aiyer — Former White House Senior Economic Policy Advisor (Obama Administration) and Former Chief of Staff of the United States Patent and Trademark Office — has something to say about it all and about what it takes these days to be American enough. “American Enough™ with Vikrum Aiyer”, is a weekly, town hall-style podcast discussing your questions and comments about current events, politics, and American ideals. As events unfold, Vikrum will share timely commentary wherever he is, as he travels, between meetings, and even en route to the office. If political commentary, having your say, and America matter to you — you’re going to love this podcast. ​

How theater questions political and ideological assumptions, with playwright Dan Hoyle … At a time where SNL, Late Night talkshows, and Broadway shows like Hamilton use comedy and ensemble casts to deliver biting commentary on culture and politics — award winning playwright Dan Hoyle takes a different approach: he likes to get lost in the middle of the country first. Hoyle boards trains, drives aimlessly in a van, and gets on planes to stop off in cities he’s never heard of — and to meet strangers, gigolos, racists, neighbors, churchgoers, and citizens in the heartland of the country. By spending time in scores of cities, Dan Hoyle has not only met hundreds of citizens in the heartland of what Sarah Palin famously referred to as “Real America” but he has created an award winning play about them too. Wedding satire, with an earnest examination of the stereotypes and values liberals often ascribe to those in the flyover states, “The Real Americans” prompts theatergoers question their assumptions about the other side of the ideological divide. Hear more shows from MouthMedia Network powered by Sennheiser at www.mouthmedianetwork.com ____________________________________________________ There’s a lot going on in America (and the world) and Vikrum Aiyer — Former White House Senior Economic Policy Advisor (Obama Administration) and Former Chief of Staff of the United States Patent and Trademark Office — has something to say about it all and about what it takes these days to be American enough. “American Enough™ with Vikrum Aiyer”, is a weekly, town hall-style podcast discussing your questions and comments about current events, politics, and American ideals. As events unfold, Vikrum will share timely commentary wherever he is, as he travels, between meetings, and even en route to the office. If political commentary, having your say, and America matter to you — you’re going to love this podcast.

Vikrum Aiyer former Chief of Staff at the US Patent & Trademark Office, and current Head of Public Policy & Strategic Communications at Postmates joins the pod to talk about his new podcast “American Enough.”...

Vikrum Aiyer, Chief of Staff at the United States Patent & Trademark Office and former Senior Policy Advisor for Innovation & Manufacturing to President Barack Obama joins me on this episode of Unconventional Genius to discuss how the USPTO is connecting the dots for entrepreneurs. Vikrum is only 30 years old, and yet he has already been entrusted to lead this agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. In his role in the Obama administration, Vikrum manages 13,000 employees and a $3.2B budget in support of all legislative and public affairs strategies for the President’s intellectual property, tech, and trade priorities. During our conversation, he clarifies how the USPTO serves entrepreneurs, his vision for the future and how he has achieved so much in such at such a young age. What does the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office actually do? Vikrum tells me what the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is and how it assists innovators and business leaders in their work. He says the office rewards innovation by giving limited property rights to people and companies who are making discoveries or inventions that can benefit the world. This allows entrepreneurs the incentive that guarantees their ability to profit from their hard work and investment. Patents and trademarks protect the work of an individual or business from having their intellectual property compromised. The office also offers resources for entrepreneurs to help them navigate the rapidly changing, increasingly digitized world. The speed of innovation that has accelerated greatly over the last few years has changed the USPTO in the way it operates. During this conversation, Vikrum explains three main ways that the USPTO has had to adapt in the current technological environment. 3 ways the USPTO is adapting Vikrum says that the first way the USPTO has adapted is by becoming more cognizant and flexible for multidisciplinary technologies. He also says that In cutting edge and dynamic spaces, the office has had to examine how they classify products. As new technological industries are started, the office has to interact and engage with these companies. Vikrum says that a large part of their job is to simply listen to entrepreneurs so that they can fully understand how to serve them. The USPTO is working hard to be adaptive and agile to change so that as business continues to rapidly evolve, the office can keep pace. The challenges of leading the USPTO The mission of the USPTO is to catalyze and fuel innovation and technological progress through incentive. There is a wide variety of entrepreneurs that need the services of the USPTO, which creates challenges and opportunities for change. Vikrum describes some of the challenges he is facing as he seeks to lead this growing agency. One challenge that he shares involves the nature of government. The Intellectual Property system is being influenced by all three branches of the government. Each one has their own agenda. The USPTO has to reconcile these three interests to make sure the public is being considered and served. Listen as he shares other challenges that the USPTO faces. The future as Vikrum Aiyer sees it When asked about the future of innovation and technology, Vikrum quickly turns to autonomous and connected vehicles. He says that driverless vehicles are a huge piece of the puzzle for the future. He explains some of the innovative uses of driverless cars and the impact it can have on transporting goods. He also talks about the wireless spectrum and data collection required to facilitate these connected vehicles. He also sees tremendous growth and opportunity in manufacturing in the United States. He credits national networks established by the Obama administration that have encouraged the growth in manufacturing. Keeping the American manufacturing industry innovative and profitable is both a public and private partnership. Connecting the dots with a large community of entrepreneurs Intellectual property law is often considered complex and overly complicated by processes. It is often thought of only as patent trolling or limited to software patent considerations. Though it can be a complicated process, there are resources available with the USPTO to help you turn an idea into opportunity. Programs exist to help entrepreneurs with the cost and expertise associated with intellectual property protection. Vikrum sees the USPTO as connecting the dots to a large spectrum of business and service sectors. IP helps create an environment where experimentation is encouraged so that as discoveries are made or products are built, there is an avenue to turn that work into a viable business opportunity. If you are with a consumer technology company planning to launch a new product at CES or are even looking ahead to CES 2019, the Max Borges Agency can help you succeed. To learn more, check out: www.maxborgesagency.com. Topics Featured In This Episode [1:05] Introduction of Vikrum Aiyer, former Senior Policy Advisor for Innovation & Manufacturing to President Barack Obama and current Chief of Staff at the United States Patent & Trademark Office [1:52] How the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office serves entrepreneurs [5:55] The response of the USPTO to the speed of innovation [11:36] Vikrum’s role in directing change and adaptation [18:23] Running a government office like a company by focusing on people [21:00] The USPTO’s position on patent trolls [26:22] Where technology is going in the future and how the USPTO is adapting [31:25] What is keeping manufacturing jobs in the United States? [35:45] Resources available to ensure that you can turn your idea or product into opportunity [40:21] Vikrum’s background and how he ended up in the USPTO. [47:22] How Vikrum was able to ascend to his position at such a young age [54:15] What does the future hold for Vikrum Aiyer? Resources & People Mentioned United States Patent and Trademark Office Connect with Guest Name Vikrum Aiyer Connect With Max Borges www.MaxBorgesAgency.com LinkedIn Subscribe to Unconventional Genius onApple Podcasts, Otto Radio, Player FM, Soundcloud, or Spotify