Boulder Tech Podcast

We’re  retooling the Boulder Tech Podcast to be a platform for quick-hit-and-publish interviews w/local tech companies (and anyone really) that are refocusing their efforts to support the community during the Coronavirus crisis. We’re looking to speak with as many people as we can and release the interviews as quickly as we can turn them around.

This time out we speak with Chris Meyer, Head of Innovation at Solderworks. A few hours before we spoke on March 24th, he held a meeting to discuss the future of work spaces. We continue that conversation here.

Here are some additional and related resources and items of interest:

• Medium article by Chris: The Future of Shared Workspaces
• Open source projects seeking tech help: MIT Safe Paths and Helpful Engineering

Follow Chris on Twitter @AdmireTheMeyer.

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The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms and comments are welcome. If you or your company or organization have switched your focus to helping solve the many problems arising from the Coronavirus pandemic, and you’d like to come on the podcast to talk about it, reach me at [email protected] or DM me on Twitter @bouldertechcast.

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

We’re  retooling the Boulder Tech Podcast to be a platform for quick-hit-and-publish interviews w/local tech companies (and anyone really) that are refocusing their efforts to support the community during the Coronavirus crisis. We’re looking to speak with as many people as we can and release the interviews as quickly as we can turn them around.

Our first guest under this new format is Shala Burroughs. She normally works in the blockchain sector, but in this time of virus has shifted her focus to help launch helpmainstreet.com, a volunteer-powered effort to support small businesses. We spoke on March 23rd about what that means.

Follow Shala on Twitter @shalaburroughs

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms and comments are welcome. If you or your company or organization have switched your focus to helping solve the many problems arising from the Coronavirus pandemic, and you’d like to come on the podcast to talk about it, reach me at [email protected] or DM me on Twitter @bouldertechcast.

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Our guest for Episode #63 is Eric Marcoullier, founder of several successful companies including IGN and Gnip, and orchestrator of a big turnaround at Beatport. He now coaches startups and mid-sized companies on product, fundraising and leadership issues. 

In this interview, Eric and I discuss:

• why Eric learns more from his failures than his successes
• the interesting creative process behind every post on his blog, Obvious Startup Advice
• startup founders and mental health
• Eric’s idea for completely revolutionizing email – and why it’s probably not going to work

Read Eric’s blog, Obvious Startup Advice, and follow him on Twitter @140bpm.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast HQ, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms, comments and guest suggestions are welcome. Don’t hesitate to send a note to [email protected]

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Our guest for Episode 62 is Spike Ilacqua, Founder and CTO at Indra’s Net, one of Colorado’s first-ever Internet Service Providers. Spike’s a veteran — a pioneer, even — of the Front Range tech scene, and has a lot to say about:

• how the focus and mission at Indra’s Net has adapted to the changing times over the last 25 years
• what it was like to create an ISP in the early 90’s — when the internet was just a glimmer of what it’s become
• tech’s impact on the city of Boulder, and how it might help resolve some of the many issues Boulder faces
• the similarities and differences between the tech scene in Boulder then vs now

Follow Spike on Twitter @spikex

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast HQ, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms, comments and guest suggestions are welcome. Don’t hesitate to send a note to [email protected]

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Our guest for Episode 61 is Jonathan Woodard, Director of Engineering at SugarWOD. They make workout software for coaches and everyday athletes. He’s also a Tabletop Game Designer.

Jonathan and I touch on a number of topics, from software to games, Boulder to Europe, and get into:

• his twin passions for software engineering and analog game design — and what the two have in common
• the role tabletop games play in Jonathan’s life
• how a year living abroad reshaped his relationship to work
• Jonathan’s efforts to see and experience Boulder through fresh eyes

Follow Jonathan on Twitter @woodardj

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast HQ, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms, comments and guest suggestions are welcome. Don’t hesitate to send a note to [email protected]

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Our guests for Episode 60 are Kathy Vega, COO/CTO, and Alex Mulvaney, CEO, and co-founders of ShineOn Bike Lights, a company created to improve the world by making cycling a safer activity in order to reduce pollution and carbon emissions, and allow people to live happier and healthier lives.

In our freewheeling discussion, Kathy, Alex and I get into:

• how a couple of space science engineers found themselves in the bike equipment business
• the inspiration and science behind ShineOn Bikes’ innovative technology (including a walkthrough of their dual beam bike light)
• the challenges of launching a startup as full-time students
• the significant roles that CU and the Boulder tech community have played in ShineOn’s success 

Follow ShineOn on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @ShineOnBikes.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms, comments and guest suggestions are welcome. Don’t hesitate to send a note to [email protected]

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Our guest for Episode 59 is Ben Woods, Technical Director — North America for Holmes Solutions — the creative engineering arm of the Holmes Group, a collection of companies with over 500 employees in offices around the world — including Boulder, where Ben is based. Holmes Solutions has done all sorts of things, such as demolishing vehicles to improve road safety, testing jet packs, developing a human catapult, and more. 

In our discussion, Ben tells us about:

• Why this little known but highly industrious company from New Zealand chose Boulder for it’s US headquarters, and how it views its relationship to the Boulder tech community  
• Holmes’ innovative approach to developing tech platforms for easy transfer across industries and sectors — and specifically how they envision transforming their work in the adventure recreation sector (aka thrill rides) into cutting edge public transportation
• How their new transportation solution could be the answer to many of Boulder’s traffic-related issues

Follow Holmes Solutions on Facebook @HolmesSolutionsLP and on Instagram @holmes_solutions_

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms, comments and guest suggestions are welcome. Don’t hesitate to send a note to [email protected]

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

We have two guests for Episode 58: John Schaefer, co-founder and Creative Director, and Matt Schaefer, co-founder and Web App Developer, for Radio Rethink — a project conceived to move community and micro-community radio into the spotlight of the mobile media landscape.

Community radio and eclectic music programming are big passions shared by The Brothers Schaefer and myself, and thus we geek out about: 

• the purpose and function of Radio Rethink
• how community and public radio stations are already benefiting greatly from the service
• what motivates the Schaefers to provide Radio Rethink at such a low cost
• and how, for all their bells and whistles and billion-dollar budgets, titans like Spotify, Apple Music, etc. don’t compare to the deep crates and cultural knowledge of an adventurous, low-budget, volunteer-powered community radio station

All of that and more, as the Boulder Tech Podcast speaks with Radio Rethink’s John Schaefer and Matt Schaefer.

Follow Radio Rethink on Twitter @radiorethink.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com.

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms, comments and guest suggestions are welcome. Reach me at [email protected]

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Our guest for Episode 57 is Bill Baldwin, Managing Principal of Cresa, the world’s largest commercial real estate advisory firm exclusively representing occupiers.

Bill and I discuss all things co-working, including:

• a look at the WeWork “situation” 
• the costs, benefits and risks of the co-working model
• where the co-working industry is headed
• how your co-working space defaulting on its obligations could put your company out of business

All of that and more, as the Boulder Tech Podcast speaks with Cresa’s Bill Baldwin.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com.

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms, comments and guest suggestions are welcome. Reach me at [email protected]

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

This is the last — but definitely not least — of 20 interviews recorded in a popup backroom studio at dojo4 during the 10th annual Boulder Startup Week. Thanks to all the guests for their time and patience, and to all of you, for listening.

Our guest for Episode 56 is Sara Bates, co-founder and CEO at MamaMend, a personalized, evidence-based guide to childbirth recovery and postpartum health.

Sara and I talk tech and birthing, and touch on:

• how she employs data and empathy to solve problems
• her journey from her time on Wall Street to founder of an app for postpartum moms
• the dichotomy and balance between data and intuition when it comes to raising a new child
• thoughts on being a founder, a woman and a mom in the tech industry

Follow Sara on Twitter @data_bates.

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The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors Honey, Matter and Zayo. 

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com.

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms, comments and guest suggestions are welcome. Reach me at [email protected]

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.