Alexander Alvord is an architect, strategist, and founder of a thriving user community. Nutanix is a global leader in cloud software, offering organizations a single platform for running apps and data across clouds. In this episode, KJ and Alexander delve into the issues of cloud bloat, inefficiencies from vendor lock-ins, and the importance of FinOps. Alexander also shares his personal journey and passion for technology and multi-cloud strategies. Learn about the challenges and innovations in making cloud services more efficient and user-centric.

Episode Highlights:

01:55 The Hidden Costs of Cloud Bloat

07:39 Impact on Organizations and Productivity

16:10 Solutions to Cloud Bloat

27:58 Nutanix's Approach and Future Vision

Quote of the Show (18:00):

"Multiple clouds does not equal Multi-cloud." - Alexander Alvord

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Alexander Alvord:

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/alexalvord

Company Website: https://nutanix.com

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily Steele is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hummingbirds, a self-service platform connecting brands to hyper-local creators & influencers. In this episode, KJ and Emily explore the power of authentic connections and the importance of understanding the types of creators brands should engage with. Tune in for insights on the evolution of the creator economy, the nuances of influencer marketing, and the potential for this model to expand beyond consumer packaged goods to sectors like tourism and small business.

Key Takeaways:

07:22 Understanding Influencers vs. Creators

10:31 The Rise of Local Creators

17:53 The Game is Rigged: Media and PR Strategies

18:52 Expanding Beyond B2C: Local Creators and CPG Brands

21:04 B2B Opportunities and Challenges

Quote of the Show (16:00):

"Authentic connections can create so many opportunities." - Emily Steele

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Emily Steele:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilysteele12

Company Website: https://www.hummingbirds.com/ 

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mateo Valdez is the founder of Gonzaga Sport Consulting Group, providing business solutions to high-profile clients, bridging the gap between education and industry. In this episode, KJ and Mateo discuss how he identified and addressed gaps in traditional education by creating a student-led consultancy that provides real-world business solutions to major sports brands like the NFL, MLS, and New Balance.

Episode Highlights:

01:58 The Flaws of Traditional Education

12:35 The Arbitrary Nature of Education Systems

14:36 Why Sports Consultancy?

16:42 Challenges in Traditional Education

17:24 Combining Passion with Education

Quote of the Show (23:00):

"Don't be imprisoned by the status quo. Just because you hear everyone is doing something one way, doesn't mean you have to do it that way yourself." - Mateo Valdez

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Mateo Valdez:

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mateo-valdez

Company Website: https://www.gonzaga.edu 

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Kitun is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor. He currently serves as Advisor to the CEO at Republic, where he is building the infrastructure to enable retail investors to access private equity through tokenization. As a Strategic Advisor and Investor at KingsCrowd, Scott is helping to create the leading investment research and advisory firm for retail private markets, empowering everyday investors to make data-driven decisions in the private equity space. In this episode, KJ and Scott explore the impact of AI on the financial ecosystem and the need for investors to diversify to mitigate market volatility.

Episode Highlights:

09:11 The Underserved Market and Private Infrastructure

16:18 The Future of Retail Investing

23:43 Simplifying Transactions with Blockchain

24:20 Tokenization and Real-World Assets

26:25 Challenges in Retail Investment Access

36:25 Resources for Learning About Private Equity

Quote of the Show (16:00):

“Private equity in general has beat public stocks 19 out of 20 years…”- Scott Kitun

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Scott Kitun:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kitun/

Company Websites:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/republic.co/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/kingscrowd/

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russell Mikowski is the CEO of SurePeople, a people intelligence platform, transforms workplace dynamics with AI-powered coaching and collaboration tools that enhance interactions, boost teamwork, and drive business success. In this episode, KJ and Russell explore the benefits of integrating these tools into everyday workflow applications like Slack and Zoom, enhancing communication, productivity, and employee morale. Russell also emphasizes the importance of understanding team dynamics and personal development.

Key Takeaways:

11:12 Challenges and Opportunities in Psychometric Assessments

20:28 The Impact of People Intelligence on Productivity

23:41 Impact on Workplace Productivity and Morale

25:34 Reducing Meeting Time to Combat Burnout

28:02 Introducing the Prism Psychometric Self-Assessment

30:36 The Future of AI and Human Interaction in the Workplace

Quote of the Show (15:00):

“Ten percent of employees get eighty percent of development investment,” – Russell Mikowski

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Russell Mikowski:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-mikowski-a349903/

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

France Hoang is the Co-founder and CEO of BoodleBox, a collaborative GenAI platform for higher education that enables professors and students to work together responsibly with top AI tools. In this episode, KJ and France cover the importance of critical thinking, domain expertise, and responsible AI use in modern education.

Key Takeaways:

01:33 AI's Impact on Education

04:14 Challenges and Opportunities in AI-Driven Education

09:16 AI Readiness: Domain Expertise and Enablement

16:29 Real-World Applications and Benefits of AI in Education

18:16 Experiential Learning and Critical Thinking with AI

20:37 The Future of AI in Education and Lifelong Learning

Quote of the Show (5:00):

"AI is revolutionizing every industry, and education is on the front line of this change." – France Hoang

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with France Hoang:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franceqhoang/

Company LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boodleboxai/

Company Website: https://boodlebox.ai/edu/

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Devon Shigaki is the mind behind FreshCredit, a company that is dedicated to increasing access to credit on a global scale and empowering individuals to own and manage their own personal data. In this episode, KJ and Devon explore the broader implications of decentralized credit reporting, its simple yet groundbreaking application of blockchain, and the potential for creating a more inclusive financial landscape.

Key Takeaways:

03:56 The Problem with Current Credit Systems

06:57 The Controversy of Blockchain in Credit Reporting

13:28 Devon's Personal Experience with Identity Theft

18:35 FreshCredit's Innovative Solutions

Quote of the Show (14:00):

"Fear of not fixing the problem drives me." – Devon Shigaki

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Devon Shigaki:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devonshigaki

Company LinkedIn: https://freshcredit.com

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Olfa Hamdi is the Co-Founder & CEO of Concord Project Technologies, a company helping project teams in asset intensive industries deliver superior results to their capital project organizations. In this episode, KJ and Olfa delve into the inefficiencies and outdated methods that plague the construction industry and discuss how Olfa's pioneering framework, Advanced Work Packaging (AWP), is transforming project management. 

Key Takeaways:

15:20 The Importance of Early Involvement in Construction

17:26 Breaking Down the Status Quo

18:02 Empowering Through Micro Learning

18:55 Industry Adoption and Impact

Quote of the Show (18:00):

"Risk in construction projects is like energy. It transforms, it doesn't disappear." – Olfa Hamdi

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Olfa Hamdi:

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/olfahamdi

Company LinkedIn: http://www.tconglobal.com/blog

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Autumn Cushman is the Co-Founder & CEO of ShiftRx, a company solving the clinician shortage and building an autonomous staffing agent to reduce administrative burdens placed on clinicians and healthcare administrators; starting in pharmacy. In this episode, KJ and Autumn explore the systemic issues, shocking statistics, and real-life examples illustrating the urgent need for disruption and innovation in the healthcare industry.

Key Takeaways:

05:21 The Root Causes of Burnout and Staffing Issues

10:42 The Impact of Understaffing on Patient Care

17:12 Innovative Solutions: AI and Automation in Healthcare

20:37 Medical Errors and Administrative Burdens

25:23 Administrative Burdens in Rural Healthcare

Quote of the Show (24:00):

"By automating non-clinical tasks, we can increase provider salaries by 30-40%." - AK Cushman

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Autumn Cushman:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akcushman/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.shiftrx.io/

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Castleigh Johnson is the Founder and CEO of MyHomePathway, a company changing the mortgage acquisition process and expanding opportunities to achieve the American Dream. In this episode, KJ and Castleigh explore the historical context of redlining, the persistent wealth gap, and how innovative fintech solutions can foster equity and transform the mortgage landscape.

Key Takeaways:

02:17 Systemic Barriers in Financial Services

05:19 Historical Context: Redlining and Its Impact

09:41 Current Home Ownership Statistics

12:06 Economic Impact of First-Time Home Buyers

21:35 Understanding Mortgage Rejections

24:18 Transparency in Underwriting

Quote of the Show (11:00):

"Home ownership is a trillion-dollar opportunity, not just a societal issue." – Castleigh Johnson

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Castleigh Johnson:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/castleigh

Company LinkedIn: https://www.myhomepathway.com/

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.