Disruption / Interruption

In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ sits down with Chris Dolezalek, Executive Vice President of R&D at Hum Capital. Chris shares his journey from Silicon Valley’s most highly funded startup to leading innovation in venture capital. He discusses the flaws in traditional VC, the power of resilience, and how technology and human insight are reshaping funding for diverse founders. Listeners will hear hard-won lessons from the edge of chaos, stories of near-failure and rebirth, and practical advice for founders seeking capital in uncertain times.

Four Key Takeaways:

1. Resilience is Essential [29:46]
   Chris emphasizes the importance of getting up after setbacks, sharing the Japanese saying, “Get knocked down seven times, get up eight,” and how resilience is a key trait for founders.
2. Venture Capital Needs Disruption [8:15]
   Traditional VC relies on personal networks and outdated data, often excluding minority and female founders. Hum Capital is using real-time financial data and AI to democratize access to funding.
3. Human Insight Complements AI [19:35]
   While AI can flag promising companies, Chris explains the need for human judgment—what he calls “AI whispering”—to make the best investment decisions.
4. Learned Resilience and Growth [36:05]
   Chris introduces the concept of “learned resilience”—not just bouncing back, but learning from setbacks to come back stronger and smarter.

Quote of the Show (32:52):
“The truth about software is the Milli Vanilli effect. You don’t have to be able to sing. You just have to look good.” – Chris Dolezalek

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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 Chris Dolezalek:

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

Company Website: https://humcapital.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.

In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ sits down with Jayesh Kumar, Co-Founder at Aonami. Discover how legacy systems are being disrupted, the challenges of digital transformation, and why true innovation means building solutions that give time back to people.

Four Key Takeaways:

1. The Problem with Legacy Systems [6:10]
   Banks and healthcare institutions are bogged down by dozens of outdated, patchwork systems, making innovation slow and compliance difficult.
2. Meeting Clients Where They Are [14:54]
   True disruption comes from understanding a client’s current state and building solutions that fit their unique needs, rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.
3. The Human Side of B2B Sales [20:03]
   Selling transformative technology to large organizations is about building relationships and convincing multiple teams, not just one decision-maker.
4. The Real Goal of Technology [28:47]
   The ultimate aim of innovation should be to give people time back, making work more productive, creative, and compassionate.

Quote of the Show (34:23):
"True disruption really happens not by doing a lot of work, but by doing less in a much smarter way. You should be building systems that start giving time back to people." – Jayesh Kumar

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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 Jayesh Kumar:

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

Company Website: https://aonamitech.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.

In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ sits down with Min Kyriannis, a trailblazer in the global security industry and CEO of Amyna Systems. Min shares her journey from immigrant roots to industry leadership, discusses the evolving landscape of network security, and explains how Amyna Systems is revolutionizing device-level protection. The conversation covers the challenges of legacy technology, the importance of proactive security, and Min’s commitment to both technological and humanitarian causes.

Four Key Takeaways:

1. The Human Element is the Weakest Link [11:03]
   Min emphasizes that despite technological advances, human error and lack of education remain the biggest vulnerabilities in network security.
2. Legacy Systems Create Modern Risks [16:00]
   Integrating old technologies with new networks opens up significant security gaps, as outdated protocols are not designed for today’s threats.
3. Proactive Security Over Reactive Patching [15:01]
   The industry often relies on patching vulnerabilities as they arise, but Min advocates for addressing root causes to prevent issues before they occur.
4. Amyna Systems’ Revolutionary Approach [25:12]
   Amyna Systems has developed patented technology that detects and remediates anomalies within seconds, providing a new layer of defense for modern networks.

Quote of the Show (24:29):
“You have to be constantly learning. You have to be constantly trying to discover something, and it’s always fascinating to see what’s there.” – Min Kyriannis

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 Min Kyriannis:

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

Company Website: https://amyna.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.

In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ sits down with Lukas Egger, VP of Product Strategy and Innovation at SAP Signavio. They discuss the realities of implementing AI in large enterprises, the pitfalls of treating AI as a plug-and-play solution, and the importance of re-engineering business systems to unlock true value. Lucas shares insights on innovation, the dangers of the "speed race," and how organizations can de-risk ambitious AI projects.

Four Key Takeaways:

1. The AI "Rat Race" Myth [2:00]
   Lukas explains why the biggest mistake in AI adoption is thinking it's a race to move the fastest, and why slowing down can actually lead to outsized value.
2. The True Cost and Opportunity of AI [7:26]
   The conversation compares current AI investments to the Manhattan Project, highlighting the generational scale of today's infrastructure build-out and the unique opportunities it presents.
3. Paradigm Shifts: Cheap Content, Expensive Trust [16:59]
   Lukas discusses how the abundance of cheap, AI-generated content shifts value creation from ownership to membership, and why trust and personalization are now critical.
4. Re-engineering Business Systems for AI [24:29]
   Lukas argues that success with AI requires rethinking and redesigning entire business processes, not just swapping out old components for new technology.

Quote of the Show (36:55):
"The most important part is to claim agency about your strategy and what you want to achieve, and this will not come from giving into whatever the latest social media news might imply.” – Lukas Egger

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 Lukas Egger:

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lukas-np-egger

Company Website:  signavio.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.

In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ sits down with John Choate, co-founder of Apogee Travel, to discuss how the travel industry hides value, the illusion of price comparison, and how Apogee is disrupting the online travel agency model by turning every hotel booking into a charitable donation. Discover the truth behind loyalty programs, the commoditization of hotels, and how transparency and social good can reshape an entire industry.

Four Key Takeaways:

1. The Illusion of Comparison Shopping [00:41]
   John explains how consumers believe they are comparison shopping for hotels, but in reality, prices are controlled and nearly identical across platforms.
2. The Birth of Apogee’s Value Model [06:55]
   The story of how a charity hotel stay and a conversation with Steve Wynn inspired the idea of using hotel profits for social good.
3. Exposing Loyalty Program Devaluation [24:15]
   John breaks down how hotel loyalty programs manipulate point values, creating “value blindness” for consumers.
4. How Apogee Travel Disrupts the Industry [32:05]
   Apogee’s unique model: every booking generates a donation to a charity of the traveler’s choice, at no extra cost, while still earning brand rewards points.

Quote of the Show (34:20):
"Most people think charity is emotional. In our model, it's structural. Travel's the largest overlooked fundraising engine in the world. We just plugged it in." – John Choate

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 John Choate:

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

Company Website:  https://apogeetravel.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?si=22332d4cd4ef4e41

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ interviews Matt Seefeld, CEO at MedEvolve, about the chaos and inefficiencies in the US healthcare revenue cycle. Matt shares how generative AI and a focus on human accountability can help providers achieve "zero touch" claims, reduce waste, and improve access to care, especially for small and rural hospitals.

Four Key Takeaways:

1. The Real Cost of Healthcare is Obscured (3:00)
   The US healthcare system lacks alignment between consumers, providers, and payers, making it nearly impossible to know the true cost of care.
2. Administrative Waste is a Billion-Dollar Problem (04:01)
   Most providers touch claims multiple times, with 63% of those touches being wasted effort due to system inefficiencies and payer games.
3. AI is a Tool, Not a Cure-All (31:50)
   While AI can automate and improve processes, more than half of claim errors still require human intervention, and technology alone won't solve systemic issues.
4. Access to Care is Shrinking for Many Americans (24:00, 27:00)
   As costs rise and reimbursements fall, small and rural hospitals are closing, and more Americans are forced to seek care through emergency services or go without.

Quote of the Show (31:50):
"More than half—53%—of the errors that we see that humans have to get involved with come from AI solutions, so they're not smart enough yet." - Matt Seefeld

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 Matt Seefeld:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-seefeld-521319/

Company Website:  https://medevolve.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.

In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ interviews Rob Creighton, founder and CEO of Windlift, about pioneering in the drone industry by advancing unmanned flight abilities and energy efficiencies ready to empower defense and security operations in new ways.

Windlift has created a drone platform that enables airborne surveillance and security systems that can fly higher, see further and stay aloft longer due super-smart, wind-friendly design.

Rob shares his journey from genetics and environmental science to developing tethered drone technology for both military and civilian applications, aiming to create a world of energy abundance and security.

Key Takeaways:

• How Windlift’s airborne wind friendly technology works and its advantages over traditional systems. — [10:55]
• The unexpected military applications of tethered drones for surveillance and security. — [20:30]
• The broader impact on agriculture, security, and global stability. — [36:22]
  

Quote of the Show: (00:15:40)

"We can actually take energy out of the wind, and use it to accelerate the vehicle."
— Robert Creighton

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 Robert Creighton:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-creighton-3572702/

Company Website: https://www.windlift.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.

In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ interviews Mark Mincy, Chief Commercial Officer at US RX Care, about the hidden complexities and conflicts of interest in the pharmacy benefits industry. Mark shares how his company is disrupting the status quo by demanding transparency, eliminating conflicts, and helping employers reclaim millions in savings. The conversation uncovers the tangled web of PBMs, rebates, and the urgent need for legislative and technological change.

Key Takeaways:

1. The PBM System is Riddled with Conflicts of Interest [2:34]
   Mark explains how pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and consultants often act in their own financial interest, not the employer’s or patient’s, leading to inflated drug costs.
2. Rebates and Purchasing Contributions Inflate Drug Prices [8:59]
   The system of rebates and retrospective payments to PBMs can account for up to 80% of a drug’s cost, forcing manufacturers to raise prices and employers to pay more.
3. Transparency and Fiduciary Duty are Essential for Reform [21:37]
   Mark’s company, US RX Care, operates with complete transparency, passes back all rebates, and offers per-member-per-month guarantees to eliminate guesswork and conflicts.
4. Employers and Consumers Can Take Action [33:34]
   Mark recommends joining healthcare purchaser coalitions, hiring ERISA attorneys, and demanding non-conflicted consultants to protect interests and drive industry change.

Quote of the Show [31:27]:
"Everything's intertwined. You want to move and do the right thing. These employers are between a rock and a hard place, so I do think some legislative action needs to occur." – Mark Mincy

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 Mark Mincy:

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mincy-a185497

Company Website: https://us-rxcare.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?si=22332d4cd4ef4e41

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ interviews Stephan Luna Ng, founder of Moon Five Technologies, about breaking barriers to electric vehicle (EV) charging in apartments and multifamily homes. Stephan shares his journey from environmentalist to entrepreneur, the challenges of EV infrastructure, and how his company is making EV charging accessible, equitable, and resilient for renters and property owners alike.

Key Takeaways:

1. EV Charging for Renters and Multifamily Homes [02:18]
   Stephan explains the unique challenges of providing EV charging in apartments and how Moon Five Technologies is solving them with a tenant-focused approach.
2. Equity and Accessibility in Clean Tech [05:34]
   The current EV infrastructure often favors wealthier communities. Stephan’s mission is to make charging accessible for low-income and disadvantaged communities.
3. Innovative Load Sharing and Resiliency [13:34]
   Moon Five’s system branches off individual tenant meters, enabling smart load sharing and even allowing EVs to power apartments during blackouts.
4. Scaling Impact and Community Engagement [20:01]
   Stephan discusses rapid scaling, the importance of a waitlist, and how community feedback shapes their deployment strategy.

Quote of the Show [24:21]:
"With something as important as changing the earth, do we wanna be signaling that we're retreating?" — Stephan Luna Ng

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 Stephan Luna Ng:

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

Company Website: moonfive.tech

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?si=22332d4cd4ef4e41

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ interviews Rob Creighton, founder and CEO of Windlift, about pioneering airborne wind energy and the future of mobile, resilient power generation. Rob shares his journey from genetics and environmental science to developing tethered drone technology for both military and civilian applications, aiming to create a world of energy abundance and security.

Key Takeaways:

1. The limitations of fixed energy infrastructure and the need for mobile, resilient solutions.— [2:06]
2. How Windlift’s airborne wind energy technology works and its advantages over traditional systems. — [10:55]
3. The unexpected military applications of tethered drones for surveillance and security. — [20:30]
4. The vision for energy abundance and the broader impact on agriculture, security, and global stability. — [36:22]

Quote of the Show: [36:22]
"When we all have abundant energy and we can live our best lives." — Robert Creighton

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 Robert Creighton:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-creighton-3572702/

Company Website: https://www.windlift.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.