Today we fulfill Laura's Christmas wish and transform the pod into That Murder Pod™ as Laura and Kevin dive into the fascinating intersection of true crime and technology with guest and good sport, Paul Ruppert. Together, they explore how advancements in tech might have helped solve or even prevent some infamous murder cases. Laura walks Kevin and Paul through three chilling real-life cases: the tragic Brenda Spencer school shooting that inspired The Boomtown Rats' hit song "I Don't Like Mondays", the horrifying family murders involving Jasmine Richardson and her boyfriend, and the mysterious disappearance and murder of Girly Chew Hossencofft. As we examine each case, we discuss the roles that tech, from early internet monitoring to forensic advancements and surveillance, could play in uncovering clues and preventing such crimes. Whether you're a true crime enthusiast or a tech aficionado, this episode is sure to get you thinking about the powerful role technology can play in solving crimes.

Paul Ruppert, the CEO of Global Point View is a veteran CPaaS and mobile services executive, strategy consultant and holder of 2 tech patents enabling global text messaging, with career experience in both the private and public sectors applying a range of multidisciplinary skills exercised at the highest levels of both arenas–from corporate boardrooms to the White House. He has generated over $400M in direct sales, is a skilled cross border negotiator, technology innovator and strategic partnership driver with two decades leading global commercial, product, marketing teams and M&A deals in B2B SaaS sales.

Prior to entering the private sector, with a Harvard masters graduate degree Paul
served over a decade in policy and political roles as an legislative assistant to a US
Senator, economic development advisor to a cabinet Secretary, a technology
industry lobbyist and White House staffer. His private sector achievements are exceptional including scaling startups from $0 to $Billion valuations, forging global strategic partnerships, doing business in 80 countries, working with private equity and $B enterprises managing $130M business P&Ls, and managing cross border, cross cultural teams of teams having lived in the US, France and China.

Paul leads Global Point View Ltd, a strategy consulting firm providing insights to technology companies seeking guidance on focus, strategies and plans via scaling, partnerships and acquisitions. His international clients have included Facebook, MasterCard, Western Union, Liveperson, Infobip, private equity and venture firms looking to leverage mobile services in their digital plans for conversational commerce.

This episode contains discussions about murder, suicide, and violent crimes that may be distressing to some listeners. Please listen with care and prioritize your well-being.

Today Kevin and Laura dive into the world of eDiscovery with Bryant Gauthier and Chris Purdy from Celerity Discovery, a division of Celerity that helps government agencies, law firms, and corporations navigate complex litigation. Bryant and Chris discuss what sets Celerity apart, from their expertise in investigations and expert witness services to their new Multi-Language Litigation Service. They share how AI is reshaping billing models and streamlining the discovery process, discuss career highlights, and offer advice for those entering litigation consulting. Plus, hear how Chris’s journey took him from owning a bar to becoming a trusted courtroom expert. Bryant and Chris bring years of experience crafting solutions across the EDRM. Bryant also discusses their upcoming webinar, How to Leverage Your Internal eDiscovery Program to Optimize Results. Listen for insights into the future of eDiscovery and the innovative work happening at Celerity.

For more details about the webinar How to Leverage Your Internal eDiscovery Program to Optimize Results scheduled for Wednesday, December 18th at 1PM ET, go to this link: I’m in – Reserve my Free Webinar Seat Now >.

The session will be hosted by Bryant Gauthier, with guest speakers, eDiscovery industry veterans Fabio Celeita and Nkosi Sharpe, and will cover the following topics:

• Goal Setting

• Simple Pricing and Billing

• 80 / 90 Rule

• Defined Processes

• AI - Items of the Moment

• Staying at the Head of the Class

• Trade-offs

• Program Adoption

Bryant Gauthier, the Vice President of Celerity Discovery, is a trusted advisor to law firms and in-house counsel. His expertise lies in identifying cost-saving measures for data identification, eDiscovery, data analysis, data mapping, information governance, privacy, and legal operations. He has a wealth of experience in serving clients in complex litigations and investigations, including regulatory investigations with agencies such as the SEC, DOJ, and CFPB and with congressional inquiries. Prior to his role at Celerity, Bryant held key positions at Huron Consulting, Skadden Arps, Buckley Sandler, Finnegan Henderson, and Xerox. Bryant has led matters spanning the EDRM, handling cases in North America, Asia, and Europe. He focuses on innovative solutions that reduce fees, time spent, and risk fees throughout the discovery process. He has supported Law Firm and In-House Legal teams in litigation, internal investigation, and government inquiries involving a variety of industries.

Chris Purdy, the Vice President of Litigation Services, has nearly three decades of experience in the litigation consulting arena, and leads Celerity’s Data and Damages Analysis practice. He has managed all aspects of the firm’s most complex and high-profile data analysis engagements, including data collection, database development, authoring of Expert and 1006 Summary Witness Reports, and submission of written and live testimony. In the data collection and database development phases, Chris develops and implements strategies to ensure gapless data collections, identifies critical relations between multiple tables and databases, and validates and ensures the integrity of all relevant data fields. In support of case strategy and in development of Expert Reports, Chris works with his clients to identify key case issues and the data sets that speak to those issues, and develops compelling and robust analyses and exhibits based upon that data.

In addition to his work related to Data and Damages Analysis, Chris has decades of experience in developing discovery strategies and in managing collections, data processing, review, and productions. Prior to joining Celerity, Chris was a co-founder of Certus Consulting Group, a litigation consulting firm, and a Project Manager at ZIA Information Analysis Group.

Celerity Discovery provides advanced eDiscovery, data analysis, expert witness and incident response services to clients seeking to optimize complex matter results. Blending extensive experience managing matters across all phases of the EDRM, Celerity Discovery services help clients convert raw data into clean intelligence to optimize cases and mitigate risk. With deep roots in complex data analysis, Celerity Discovery legal services practitioners are proven experts in providing clients with advanced solutions from forensics to final production, expert testimony and beyond.

Today Laura and Kevin sit down with Kevin Korte, an accomplished IT Innovation and Growth Strategist, entrepreneur, and startup investor, to explore how organizations can transform IT from a hindrance into a strategic asset. Kevin shares his expertise in leading-edge cybersecurity practices, emphasizing the critical importance of balancing robust security with user convenience through technologies like Single Sign-On, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and open-source identity management systems. Kevin discusses the power of standardized digital identity management for organizations of all sizes, from small teams to global enterprises with millions of users. We also talk about also emerging trends in cybersecurity and digital identities, providing actionable advice for businesses to stay ahead of evolving threats. Kevin also opens up about his journey from Germany to Seattle and adapting to new cultures. This conversation offers a wealth of insights on cybersecurity, leadership, and innovation. 

Kevin Dominik Korte dedicates himself to inspiring people to take control of their time, data, & dreams in IT, Business, & Life. He is an accomplished, entrepreneurial Non-Executive Director and IT Innovation & Growth Strategist. His focus is to help companies adopt leading-edge cybersecurity practices and turn IT from a hindrance into an asset for every organization. A German native, Kevin moved to Seattle in 2013 to take over the role of President of Univention North America. He is responsible for the US team and helps clients use open-source identity management systems. As a startup investor, Kevin focuses on Tech and FinTech. His exceptional stakeholder management skills nurture strong relationships with high-profile industry players and key partners. Outside of work, Kevin serves as Treasurer to the Jacobs University Bremen Foundation of America, which is part of the endowment of his Alma Mater.

Univention provides standardized identity management systems for organizations from 5 people to 5 million. Kevin's team provides Sales, Support, and Professional Services.

Today, Laura and Kevin talk with Mike Paciello, a trailblazer in the field of digital accessibility and usability. As the Chief Accessibility Officer at AudioEye, Mike shares his journey, from his early motivation to focus on accessibility to authoring the first book on web accessibility, Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities. We discuss Mike's role in the creation of the Web Accessibility Initiative, challenges companies face in prioritizing accessibility, and how AI is shaping the future of inclusive technology. Mike also sheds light on gaps in the accessibility market, and ethical considerations for emerging technologies. Finally, he dispels misconceptions about accessibility and offers his vision for a more inclusive digital world. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, accessibility advocate, or curious about the intersection of technology and inclusivity, this episode is a must-listen.

Mike Paciello is the Chief Accessibility Officer at AudioEye, Inc., a digital accessibility company. Prior to joining AudioEye, Mike founded WebABLE, which delivers news about the disability and accessibility technology market. Mike authored the first book on web accessibility and usability, “Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities” and, in 1997, Mr. Paciello received recognition from President Bill Clinton for his work in the creation of World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Accessibility Initiative. He has served as an advisor to the US Access Board and other federal agencies since 1992. Mike has served as an international leader, technologist, and authority in emerging technology, accessibility, usability, and electronic publishing. Mike is the former Founder of The Paciello Group, a world-renowned software accessibility consultancy acquired in 2017 by Vispero.

Today Kevin and Laura chat with Derek Ferguson on the future of software engineering in the age of AI. We discuss how Derek is leveraging AI to enhance coding without reducing developer opportunities. Derek speaks on the role of software engineers evolving and which skills will become obsolete. Derek gives advice for aspiring software engineers. We also talk about AI-generated code quality and the right amount of oversight human developers need to have when dealing with AI-assisted coding. We hear about low code and no-code and AI platforms becoming more prevalent and the impact on the job market. Derek gives his thoughts on AI displacing certain roles within software engineering and how developers prepare for these changes in 2024 and beyond. Lastly Derek tells a funny story from a major tech event speech he gave and what he enjoys most about teaching others. 

Derek Ferguson is the Chief Software Officer at Fitch, where he leads the development of software used by investors to identify opportunities and quantify risk. Fitch’s products have won 27 awards — and counting — in the last two years alone. Outside of software creation, Derek is the author of the bestselling Broadband Internet Access for Dummies, an expert in masterclasses hosted by GOTO Chicago, and a speaker at prestigious events — from JavaOne to TechEd and beyond.

Today Laura and Kevin speak with Mr. Backup himself, W. Curtis Preston. We talk about the biggest opportunities for innovation in legal tech. We hear Curtis' thoughts on AI redefining roles within legal teams. We discuss the biggest technical and logistical obstacles to satisfying an eDiscovery request when it comes to handling backup data. Curtis walks us through why backups present unique challenges in eDiscovery compared to other types of data sources. We also hear Laura and Curtis' thoughts on the PT Cruiser and so much more!

W. Curtis Preston is a Legal Tech Evangelist specializing in eDiscovery and Forensic Acquisition. Curtis possesses a unique combination of legal and technical expertise and has been an expert witness on multiple lawsuits, consulting and being deposed on multi-million-dollar matters that included intellectual property, patents, and insurance. He has even been a pro se litigant in three cases – and prevailed in each case. He has brought his expertise to S2|Data, a legacy data and discovery solution aiding Fortune 500 legal teams, AMLAW 100 Law Firms & Sole Practitioners in computer forensics and eDiscovery.

Today Laura and Kevin chat with Tom Hurd the CEO & Co-Founder of Zeki Data. Tom first details his time overseeing intelligence and law enforcement operations serving as the senior Homeland Security Advisor to four British Home Secretaries. We learn about the importance of practicing your cybersecurity procedures. Tom talks about what really goes on in a cyber crime lab and dispels some of the myths around James Bond and MI6. We hear about his team's efforts to locate the COVID virus (and Laura's possible direct involvement 😬) and tracking the virus in the same way you can track cocaine. Tom gets into building big data projects around human excellence and finding people who "break the pattern." We learn about "Moneyball for Scientists and Engineers," and how Zeki Data uses AI to find the best talent. Finally Laura does a health check on Tom. This is a really interesting and entertaining episode!

Tom Hurd, the CEO and Co-Founder of Zeki Data, served as the senior Homeland Security Advisor to four British Home Secretaries, leading efforts against state Tom Hurd Horizontal threats, cybercrime, and terrorism, and overseeing intelligence and law enforcement operations. He played a key role in producing the Prime Minister’s Daily Intelligence Brief and was part of the UK’s Joint Intelligence Committee. Tom advocated for using science and technology to enhance operations, leading to his establishment of the UK’s Joint Biosecurity Centre to improve the accuracy of COVID-19 outbreak detection. He was honoured with an OBE in 2011 and a CB in 2020 for his contributions to national security. Tom has transitioned from government intelligence to co-founding a talent intelligence start-up.

At Zeki Data, they specialize in pinpointing the most advanced and innovative minds in science and engineering—individuals who are not just pushing the boundaries but are redefining them. These top deep tech innovators are driven to create groundbreaking solutions, refusing to settle for the status quo. Their sophisticated time series data empowers us to develop a comprehensive view of an individual’s record of innovation and accomplishments, allowing Zeki to accurately forecast their future potential. To identify this elite talent, Zeki meticulously crafted a dataset encompassing 10 million individuals employed at over 40,000 companies across 94 countries, spanning over a decade.

Today Laura and Kevin speak with Cybersecurity Expert Craig Petronella and founder of the Petronella Technology Group. They speak about cybersecurity and disaster recovery after events such as Milton and Helene and how you should test your cyber practice with table-top exercises. Craig shares some scary ransomware stories. He also gives tips on how to get into cybersecurity in 2024. We get into some of the overlooked compliance risks and new regulations. Craig is a true expert!

Craig and the Petronella Technology Group have helped 5,000+ businesses stay safe from network attacks and fully comply with their industries' regulations, including CMMC and NIST for defense industrial base contractors, HIPAA and HITECH for medical practices, GLBA for banking and finance, FTC compliance, Sarbanes Oxley and more. Craig is also the author of 8 cybersecurity and compliance books, including the Amazon #1 bestseller How HIPAA Can Crush Your Medical Practice.

With 30+ years of experience, Craig is well-known and highly regarded in the U.S. cybersecurity industry. He has served as a compliance consultant and conducted onsite risk assessments for over 500 medical practices, hospitals, and business associates, across the country, protecting them from hackers halfway around the world in places like Ukraine, Russia, and China. Craig holds MIT certifications in AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, and compliance. 

With Laura out sick, today Kevin talks with Wyn Elder, the Managing Director of Global Public Sector at Box. They chat about Wyn's work and the difference between the public and private sectors. Wyn explains why he chose Box and what separates them from their competitors. We talk about DIUx, cloud cyber security, shadow IT and what keeps Wyn up at night. Lastly we talk modernization of government infrastructure and the TMF. Give this one a listen!

Wyn is responsible for revenue growth, strategy, business development, product roadmap, partnerships and channel distribution throughout this industry for Box.  

Prior to Box, Wyn was at Deloitte Consulting where he led their Public Sector Innovation practice and helped Federal agencies transform their digital enterprises.  Before Deloitte, Wyn worked at Apple where he served as the Director of Business Development, Partnerships, and Strategy for all of Apple’s Government & Public Sector business. He was responsible for crafting Apple’s government strategy and integrating associated changes into Apple's products, contracts, manufacturing, and distribution channels to support this innovative approach.  Wyn also served as a Partner at the DoD’s premier Innovation Hub, Defense Innovation Unit (DIUx), helping transform the way the DOD works with advanced technology start-ups and accelerating the adoption of commercial technologies into the military services.

Prior to working at Apple, Wyn served 26 years as a pilot in the US Air Force and commanded at the Squadron, Group, and Wing levels and logged more than 3,000+ hours flying in the process. Wyn capped off his career by serving as the Senior Executive Assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  He is a graduate of the National War College and holds an MBA from the University of Florida and a degree in Mathematics from the University of Virginia.  

Today Laura and Kevin chat with Wesley Beary. Wesley is a tech wizard who has been reshaping the developer experience for over 15 years, turning complex API and open source challenges into solutions loved by developers worldwide. We talk about how do you think organizations can prioritize APIs tools better to enhance internal developer productivity. We hear about Wesley's philosophy on balancing the need for speed, security, with simplicity when building tools and platforms for developers. As an angel investor, Wesley explains how he identifies promising startups that are building for developers or focused on improving the developer experience. We learn the differences between Salesforce and startups approach developer tooling and internal processes. We also learn what’s next for developers. Lastly, we find out if Wesley really likes all this. Check this one out!

Wesley Beary is currently shaking up the tech world as a Founding Engineer at Anchor, a dev-friendly platform that provides private CAs for internal TLS encryption. It is making HTTPS certificates easy to get on servers, allowing developers to focus on building rather than managing security. Here’s a blog Wesley wrote about how Anchor developed a CLI and the tools that helped.

Wesley’s many career highlights include his maintenance of Ruby’s excon gem (over 485 million downloads) and suite of fog gems for cloud services. He also led the design of the Heroku public API and played a key role in publishing the pioneering HTTP API Design Guide. Wesley’s insights have guided countless developers in building better APIs.

Wesley is more than an open source expert; he's a community builder, having organized dev meetups and delivered keynote addresses at conferences for Upstream, ArrrrCamp, and Ruby.

Today Kevin and Laura speak with Dana Samuelson, the Founder and President of American Gold Exchange (AGE), a leading national precious metals and rare coin company specializing in dealer-to-dealer trading and direct-to-consumer sales. We talk about the precious metals market, the US economy and interest rates hikes and the effect on precious metals prices. We also discuss precious metals and rare coins as investments and hedges against financial uncertainty and inflation. Dana give us investing tips on the best ways to own precious metals both in modern bullion and in vintage, pre-1933 US gold and European gold coins. We touch on the best practice do's and don'ts when buying and selling, and the best ways to store and insure your physical holdings. We discuss if bitcoin or gold or the stock market is the best investment in 2024. We also learn whether Kevin should harvest the gold off his the circuit boards in his vintage tech collection and Laura talks FOMO. 

Dana Samuelson has been active in the physical gold and silver markets for 43 years and is a nationally recognized expert on vintage, pre-1933 US gold and silver coins. Dana is also recognized as an authority in the precious metals industry and has been interviewed by major media outlets, including Forbes, Market Watch, and Fox Business.

Because precious metals market prices are impacted by the US economy, the global economy, interest rates, currency fluctuations, international events and especially inflation of late, Dana has become very knowledgeable in all of these areas and can speak in depth as to what is happening and why in all of these markets, especially as to how they affect precious metals prices in dollars and in other currencies. 

This year marks the 25th anniversary of AGE. Their business model is based on repeat business and referrals, and they enjoy the continued endorsement of a host of nationally recognized investment newsletter writers, financial advisors, and hard asset proponents. AGE also has an impeccable national reputation for honesty and integrity with their peers and clients, holding an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and almost perfect Trustpilot customer reviews.

Dana began his career in the early 1980s as a personal protege of James U. Blanchard III, one of the great industry giants and the individual most responsible for the re-legalization of private ownership of gold in the US in 1974. Did you know gold was illegal to own in the US between 1933 and 1974? 

He is also a past President of the Professional Numismatists Guild, the premiere organization of US rare coin dealers, whose principal goal is to uphold high standards of excellence among dealers so that trading in rare coins is risk-free for investors and collectors. As president, Dana conceived of and contributed to the establishment of the Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force, which today collaborates with Homeland Security and the Secret Service to identify and seize counterfeit bullion coins and bars (over $100M in street value thus far).

Today Laura and Kevin speak with Marcus “Bellringer” Bell about using generative AI in music. We learn about Marcus' past as a child prodigy who started playing the piano at age two, wrote his first songs at eight, and started his own record label at 12. Marcus talks about the 100 Day Impact Challenge and how losing his voice led to his decision to use AI to clone his voice - that’s when the potential for creative innovation through AI tools blew his mind open. Marcus is pioneering the next era of creativity with his photorealistic AI Music Artist Character, Ravyn Lyte. Ravyn Lyte was created to impact societal issues for the better and her music has been designed with neuroscientists to embed sounds of peace and healing to soothe the soul. We also learn about Marcus' mother Carolyn Williams Bell, a pioneer in the American Tennis Association in 1961. The two co-authored the book Bellringer Branding Bible: The 5 Musician Branding Principles for Singers, Rappers, DJs, Music Producers, Composers, Writers, and Recording Artists. Finally, Marcus tells about using tools to create podcasts and Laura and Kevin sign-off for the final time as they decide to use AI for the pod going forward (just kidding!), Marcus is a true AI evangelist. You don't want to miss this episode!

Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Marcus “Bellringer” Bell was a child prodigy who started playing the piano at age two, wrote his first songs at eight, and started his own record label at 12. His journey began at Berklee College of Music, where he honed his craft and graduated in 1996. Since then, Marcus has continuously pushed boundaries in music and entrepreneurship, embodying a legacy of innovation and empowerment in the entertainment industry.

Today, Marcus is a multifaceted American music producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, singer, social media influencer, activist, and entrepreneur. As CEO of Bellringer Productions LLC, he oversees a powerhouse in music sync licensing and production, boasting a catalog of over 10,000 songs and nurturing more than 300 recording artists. His credits span industry giants such as Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dogg, Timbaland, and collaborations with major brands including Sony Music, HBO, Netflix, and Amazon.

As a technophile exploring technology throughout his career, he decided to use AI to clone his voice to complete the last of the project. That’s when the potential for creative innovation through AI tools blew open. Marcus is not only shaping the industry with his billion-plus music streams but also pioneering the next era of creativity with his photorealistic AI Music Artist Character, Ravyn Lyte. Ravyn Lyte was created to impact societal issues for the better. In a world where emotions of hate and rage through music and lyrics are targeting young children, Rayvn Lyte’s music has been designed with neuroscientists to embed sounds of peace and healing to soothe the soul.

Today Laura and Kevin speak with Jared Russell and James Dobberstein about their innovative idea to revitalize Baltimore's real estate market. We talk about abandominiums, food deserts and how tech is impacting their plans. We learn about their crowd-sourced funding plan and their revolutionary supermarket idea. While this one is a little less techy than usual, its still an interesting coversation!

Jared Russell, a lifelong resident of the DMV area, has developed a highly sophisticated and multidisciplinary approach to real estate, encompassing a wide range of transaction types and strategies. With over a decade of experience as both a realtor and investor, Jared has honed a unique ability to creatively explore and implement alternative transaction methods, tailored to meet diverse needs and scenarios.

Throughout his career, Jared has been deeply involved in the investment and development of various property types. His primary focus has been on serving lower-income communities, where he has pioneered innovative programs and housing solutions designed to promote equitable opportunities and foster community growth. His commitment to these underserved areas underscores his dedication to creating meaningful, impactful change through real estate. 

James Dobberstein was born in Baltimore City and was adopted by his aunt and uncle who lived outside of DC. For nearly a decade, he has been actively engaged in the realms of real estate and development within Baltimore City, with a specialized focus on affordable housing. Throughout James' career, he dedicated himself to the development of both single-family and multi-family properties, targeting areas affected by urban blight and the challenges posed by abandoned properties. His efforts have been driven by a commitment to revitalizing these neighborhoods, aiming to alleviate the impact of property neglect and contribute to the overall enhancement of the city's housing landscape.

Today Kevin and Laura speak with Jennifer McIver, the Director of Legal Operations & Industry Insights at Wolters Kluwer about GenAI being just one of the tools in your tech toolbox. We discuss whether GenAI should be treated like predictive coding or MS365. Jen reminds us to remember the data and traditional AI tools. We talk enterprise legal management, spend software and legal analytics solution, e-signatures, legal prediction tools, case management tools, chatbots and e-Billing apps. We also hear Jen's divisive take on "tech she hates." This is a fun episode!

Jennifer McIver is an attorney turned legal technologist with extensive experience helping corporate legal departments improve operational efficiency, spend management, and collaboration with outside counsel through the use and adoption of technology. As Director, Legal Operations & Industry Insights at Wolters Kluwer, Jennifer represents ELM Solutions at industry events, develops thought-provoking content, and dives deep with LegalVIEW to surface valuable data insights about rates and other industry trends.

Laura and Kevin also chat about The Advocate Next Door, a new podcast from friends of the pod Kelby Ballena (our guest on pod 29 from 2021) and Margarita Rosa Arango. The Advocate Next Door is a podcast that covers genuine, in-person conversations with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Kelby and Margarita welcome guests who delve into their life and career journeys, exploring the passions and hobbies that drive them, and uncovering the stories behind their career choices. Each episode aims to reveal the personal side of professional paths, sharing inspiring tales of resilience, dedication, and the unique experiences that shape who they are today. They recently dropped their first 3 episodes. Check them out here.

Today Laura and Kevin chat with Levar Jackson, the Founder and CEO of Yogh Group, which works in partnership with Oregon State University to design sustainable technologies for the hospitality industry. They talk about sustainability being more than just resources — impacting economic, social, and environmental sectors. We hear about the amazing patented technologies for energy generation Yogh Group developed. We learn about the connection between sustainability and social impact and how that can be measured. We also learn of a trick to hack hotel A/C units. 

Yogh Group's technologies include the QuaiEnergy System for efficient electricity and AlgoHelix, an automated algae growth system designed to bring algae based products to all locations around the globe for sustainable food, beverages, beauty products, fuel and textiles. Yogh Group is also designing sustainable hotels, which include art museums, culinary institutes, and agricultural production — connecting co-supportive industries in one space.

Levar serves as President of NEWH New York, which provides international resources for scholarships, education, business development, and excellence recognition in areas of hospitality, food service, senior living, and related fields.

On today's pod, Kevin and Laura speak with Matt Van Itallie about code transparency and GenAI. We talk about the risks with human-only code, GenAI-originated code and blended code and the risks of each for GenAI developers. We discuss the Github class action lawsuit and CoPilot. Matt gives us some best practices and practical advise. We find out if Matt is an introvert or an extrovert and being tech curious. We also talk about Matt's ability to explain tech to non-tech audiences and why that's important. Matt also talks about the fun of creating Peepshi, a playful combination of marshmallow Peeps and sushi.

Matt Van Itallie is the Founder and CEO of Sema. He and his team have developed Comprehensive Codebase Scans, the most thorough and easily understandable assessment of a codebase and engineering organization. These scans are crucial for private equity and venture capital firms looking to make informed investment decisions. Sema has evaluated code within organizations that have a collective value of over $1 trillion. In 2023, Sema served 7 of the 9 largest global investors, along with market-leading strategic investors, private equity, and venture capital firms, providing them with critical insights. In addition, Sema is at the forefront of Generative AI Code Transparency, which measures how much code created by GenAI is in a codebase. They are the inventors behind the Generative AI Bill of Materials (GBOM), an essential resource for investors to understand and mitigate risks associated with AI-generated code.

Before founding Sema, Matt was a Private Equity operating executive and a management consultant at McKinsey. He graduated from Harvard Law School and has had some interesting adventures, like hiking a third of the Appalachian Trail and biking from Boston to Seattle.

Today Laura and Kevin have Bruce Randall on the pod. Bruce is a thought leader who delves into AI's impact on human enhancement and consciousness. Bruce is currently working on his book "The AI Human Paradox," examining AI's transformative potential and regulatory challenges. We talk about the ethical impacts of AI advancements, such as brain-computer interfaces and superhuman capabilities. Bruce advocates for balanced regulatory frameworks to ensure safe and ethical AI integration. We also discuss superhumans, super soldiers, and more. 

Bruce's expertise goes beyond technology and business; his personal journey includes meditation, Reiki, and exploring the deeper aspects of human potential. These experiences provide unique insights into the human mind, enriching his perspective on AI and its societal implications.

Today Kevin and Laura speak with Ajay Malik about all things AI. As the former Head of Architecture/Engineering of the Worldwide Corporate Network at Google, Ajay is a technologist, business futurist, and prolific inventor with about 100 patents pending/issued specializing in Artificial Intelligence, Wi-Fi networking, Quantum computing, and Real Time Location. We talk about generative AI versus classic AI. We discuss which is the best LLM. We chat about the difference between AI and super intelligence. We also discuss expensive tech toys and early holiday gift ideas. We also learn that you can only have up to 30K LinkedIn connections (because Ajay is maxed out!)
 
Ajay Malik is the CEO of SECO MIND USA LLC, a company that builds StudioX, world’s leading enterprise AI platform to accelerate incorporating AI in business. Ajay has also held executive leadership positions at Meru Networks, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco, and Motorola. He completed B.E in Computer Science & Technology from IIT, Roorkee, India. Ajay Malik's unique blend of creativity, leadership, and technical expertise promises an engaging and enlightening experience for all attendees.

Ajay Malik has founded and successfully sold multiple startups, led the exit of a public company, and has experience as a Section 16 officer. He has authored various books "RTLS for Dummies," "Augmented Reality for Dummies," "Artificial Intelligence for Wireless Networking," "First God, Then Man, Now AI - Generative AI".

Today Laura and Kevin speak with Quinton Goddard, the Head of Solutions and  Sustainability for SquareTrade Europe. They chat about planned obsolescence and the right to repair, exploring how these issues impact both consumers and the environment. Quinton shares his expertise on how SquareTrade Europe is tackling sustainability, discussing the development of tools and processes and the broader implications for the insurance industry.  Quinton provides insights into how sustainability is being integrated into SquareTrade’s operations, ensuring that the company not only meets but exceeds its environmental responsibilities. They chat about Quinton's path from astronomer to the insurance sustainability guy, turning the Titanic, Jake from Statefarm, the Safelite jingle, and much more! 

Quinton Goddard is the Head of Solutions & Sustainability for SquareTrade Europe. Quinton oversees the development and implementation of the region's sustainability strategy. In this role, he spearheads the creation of tools and processes to measure annual emissions, set reduction targets, monitor progress, and integrate sustainability across all facets of SquareTrade Europe.

Today Kevin and Laura speak with Jake Moshenko, the co-founder of AuthZed, a leader in permissions systems as a service. We talk about what its like to work for both Amazon and Google. We chat about Amazon's trick firings/secret PIPs and Jake's iPhone app for the game Big 2. We also talk about the challenges of building and selling to developers, his cofounding of Quay and using the Zanzibar papers as a guide. Laura also rants about Disney adults and gives her most controversial take ever about Taylor Swift fans. Check this one out! 

With his extensive background in developer tooling and distributed systems, Jake Moshenko is an expert in creating robust authorization software. He is passionate about developer experience and scalable infrastructure. 

AuthZed was founded by 3 successful entrepreneurs with expertise in enterprise software, most recently as leaders at Red Hat. Jake and Joey met on the APIs team at Google in 2010. They went on to found Quay, where Jimmy joined as their first hire. Over the past decade, they’ve changed the landscape for building and deploying software.

Today Laura and Kevin speak with Daniel Gold, Principal in Forensics and the eDiscovery Managed Services Leader for BDO. We talk about his origin story from law to legal tech leader. We talk about Athenagy and AI's impact on the industry. We discuss the shrinking of the billable hour, differentiating true AI from traditional keyword searching and myths vs. reality in legal tech.

Daniel is the Principal in Forensics and the eDiscovery Managed Services Leader. He is the creator of BDO's Athenagy, the only patent pending business intelligence solution in the world that created a Common Data Model and data driven insights fueled by both RelativityOne and Microsoft Purview eDiscovery.

Daniel has over 20 years of experience in the legal space. As a practicing lawyer, Daniel quickly identified that by appropriately harnessing new forms of legal technology, both lawyers and legal professionals could be vastly more productive and effective. This realization led Daniel to the legal service provider space and with it, came years of success at consulting with some of the largest corporate law departments and law firms across the country. Daniel’s experience in e-discovery technical consulting, consultative selling, as well as leading a national operations team for an IT managed services company has enabled him to provide a  comprehensive approach to how legal professionals can leverage technology to create a collaborative and dynamic approach to e-discovery. Daniel’s passion for managed services has made him a known thought leader in e-discovery. 

Today Laura and Kevin speak with Simon Chen, the founder and CEO of Eight Black. We talk about the security and transportation industries. We talk about the Paris Olympics and its challenges. We also discuss the Trump shooting attempt and how the Secret Service responded. We get into tech's impact on security, ongoing cyber threats, Jason Bourne, the Taken movies and more!

Simon Chen, the founder and CEO of Eight Black, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the security and transportation industries. Originally from Australia, Simon has lived in Colorado for the past eleven years. Prior to moving to the United States, he and his family were based in Singapore, giving him a rich international background. With over 20 years of consulting experience with technology companies across Asia Pacific and the US, Simon has held several senior management positions in large multinationals. Simon has a strong background in advanced driver training, having taught for 15 years at Australia’s largest and most respected Advanced Driver Training company. His motto, "safety before schedule," is evident in the impeccable safety standards of the Eight Black fleet. Additionally, Simon spent 8 years in the Australian military (Army), and he now leads Eight Black's Security and Executive Protection division, collaborating with some of the most talented security professionals in the world. Since founding Eight Black eight years ago with just one car, Simon has grown the business significantly while maintaining his passion for contributing to the ground transportation and security industries. Eight Black now provides bespoke security and transportation solutions worldwide, ensuring clients' journeys are secure, comfortable, and seamless, whether they are traveling from Africa to Paris or anywhere in between.

Today Kevin and Laura speak with Chris Bradbury a serial entrepreneur with an amazing life story. We focus on how to fail as an entrepreneur and how to get back in the game. Chris takes us through his numerous ventures from cutting grass, to building a video game, to selling cars, to selling drugs, to doing computer repair, to running an energy site, even being a politician and then to real estate and finally to contracting with the US Postal Service. Chris explains that mindset about failure matters most for whether an entrepreneur gets back to it or gives up. Chris is the living embodiment of the Rocky Balboa speech on taking your lumps and moving forward. This is a pod you don't want to miss!

For our 200th episode, Laura and Kevin chat about the Microsoft patch/Crowdstrike outage, the AT&T data breach, Google's potential $23 Billion acquisition of Wiz and more! We also talk about Laura's new gym, the Drop in! This is a fun bonus pod.

Today Kevin and Laura chat with Carsten Brinkschulte about wildfire technology. Carsten is a telecoms tech veteran and serial entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of impact tech startup Dryad Networks, the firm’s large-scale IoT network for the ultra-early detection of wildfires will help to save the world's forests and fight climate change. We speak about impacts for profit. We learn about sensors that smell fire versus see it. We figure out who pays for this and much more!

Carsten Brinkschulte is CEO and co-founder of Dryad Networks. Dryad provides ultra-early detection of wildfires as well as health and growth-monitoring of forests using solar-powered gas sensors in a large-scale IoT sensor network. Dryad aims to reduce unwanted wildfires, which cause up to 20% of global CO2 emissions and have a devastating impact on biodiversity. By 2030, Dryad aims to prevent 3.9m hectares of forest from burning, preventing 1.7bn tonnes of CO2 emissions. 

Today Laura and Kevin speak with Ray Rivard. We talk about legal and ethical considerations with Generative AI. We talk about the complaint against Adobe for selling AI-generated imitations Ansel Adams' work. We talk Sarah Silverman suing OpenAI and other IP claims and copyright issues with GenAI. We talk about replacing Al Michaels with an AI bot. We hear Ray's origin story and get his advise on being an IP lawyer in 2024. We also chat about who is liable when GenAI breaks the law. This pod has it all including going deep on accountability and the need for guardrails on GenAI. You don't want to miss this one!

Ray Rivard currently serves as Senior Director for the Federal Government Sector for Prevail.ai.  In his role, he devises and promotes solutions for government agencies, government contractors, and law firms, utilizing Prevail's artificial intelligence (AI) tools and processes.  Prior to his current role, Ray was the Senior Information Technology Specialist for the eDiscovery Group within the Legal Information Technology Unit for the FDIC’s Legal Division. His specialties included devising and integrating best practices in failed bank data collection, preservation, authentication, processing, review, analytics, and production. Ray has provided technical expert testimony in civil and criminal court hearings across the United States; filed declarations and affidavits as an expert in numerous federal courts; participated in meet & confer conferences with opposing parties in failed bank litigation matters; and revised and modified ESI protocols, protective orders, and joint discovery plans. Prior to joining the federal government, Ray spent nearly two decades handling large litigation matters for several D.C.-based law firms, including Jones Day, Wilmer, Mayer Brown, and DLA Piper.   

Today Kevin and Laura chat with Ben Johnson, the CEO & Founder of Particle41. Ben is an experienced serial entrepreneur with $30 million raised across his 5 startups and has 20+ years of software development experience. We speak about establishing efficiency in technology teams, building technology companies from the ground up, the difference between a tech mindset and a CEO mindset, how to fix slow, and how to bring a new product to market.

Particle41 is a company focused on CTO advisory, app development, data science and DevOps. 

Today Laura and Kevin speak with Francis Lacoste.  Francis is an Engineering Leadership Coach who helps CTOs and VPs of Engineering at scaling tech startups nurture amazing work cultures and high-performance teams that build products and services that delight their customers.

Until early 2023, Francis was the Senior Director of Software Engineering, Culture, and Engagement at Salesforce, where he coached top engineering managers to be better leaders as they helped grow the company and build a culture of collaboration and innovation across the Salesforce Platform engineering division with 1200 people.

He has spent 25+ years working from home in the open-source and cloud developer tools industry and also previously worked at Heroku and Canonical, where he built successful high-performance remote engineering teams.

Today Kevin and Laura chat with Alex Rawitz and Yevgeny Khessin of DIMO. Alex Rawitz is the Co-Founder & COO. Yevgeny Khessin is the CTO & Co-Founder. We talk about cars, crypto, connected apps and cybersecurity. We learn about the origin of DIMO. We get into the types of cars they each drive (Yev's is cooler!) We discuss who drives a Rav4, 70's Land Cruisers, old Broncos, driving stick and even OJ. We also discuss meme stocks, meme coins and NFT scams. A lot going on in this one!

Alex Rawitz is the Co-Founder & COO at DIMO. Alex has worked in the world of cryptocurrency and IoT startups for the past ten years. He is always searching for ways to use these technologies to improve other people's lives. Before joining DIMO, Alex was an employee at Chainalysis, where he worked with several exchanges, DeFi protocols, and fintech. Before that, he held a position in sales at Servato, an Internet of Things company operating in the telecom space.

Yevgeny Khessin is the CTO & Co-Founder. Yevgeny spent a decade as an software engineer in the automotive world with a focus on distributed connected vehicle systems. He has worked across the largest vehicle OEMs, built dispatch and fleet management software for autonomous vehicles and helped connect millions of cars to the internet.

Founded in 2021, DIMO is building a global data connectivity platform for mobility. Not only does DIMO's technology allow users to connect their vehicle to a mobile app for amazing insights, but DIMO's platform is decentralized and open source.

Today Laura and Kevin talk about the 46th Annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference. Laura was onsite hearing from world-class experts in hospitality investment, global CEOs from prominent hotel brands, active investors, forward thinking operators and innovative developers all centered on the hospitality ecosystem.

The 46th annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference (NYU IHIIC), is a leading information services and event company, in partnership with the NYU School of Professional Studies (NYU SPS) and its Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality which delivered unparalleled thought leadership through keynotes, general sessions, workshops and networking events. Top industry executives from CEOs of hotel brands to various investment and real estate executives discussed the latest trends, economic influences, and projections. The NYU IHIIC was held on June 2-4, 2024 at the Marriott Marquis in New York.