Evolving Industry

In this episode, we sit down with Curt Miller, Operations Consultant at Littlejohn & Co., to discuss the transition from the “classically trained” GE culture to the high-stakes world of private equity. Curt shares his journey from an industrial engineer to a procurement expert who has navigated some of the biggest PE firms in the industry. We explore his player-coach philosophy, why procurement is often a late-stage strategic lever rather than a Day 1 priority, and how AI is currently transforming contract management from a day-long task into a 15-minute review. Curt provides a pragmatic look at value creation, explaining why incremental improvement often yields higher returns than chasing a best-in-class ideal.

Join us as we discuss:

• [1:28] Injecting the GE experience into a rising firm in the early days of private equity

• [9:19] How talented generalists find success in niche organizations

• [13:37] Elevating procurement from a quick revenue injection to a long-term strategy

• [20:25] How Curt thinks AI could transform the procurement space

Craving more? You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Evolving Industry on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of Evolving Industry, we sit down with Oliver Mitchell, Partner at ff Venture Capital and author of A Startup Field Guide in the Age of Robotics and AI. Oliver pulls from his experience as an investor and advisor to explain why robotics and AI require a different go-to-market playbook than traditional SaaS. We discuss the “labor voids” in heavy industry and how companies like Persona AI and Civ Robotics are stepping in to solve mission-critical problems. Oliver also shares his pivot from being a humanoid skeptic to a fan, arguing that because our factories are built for humans, humanoid robots provide the most seamless “plug and play” solution for a domestic manufacturing resurgence.

Join us as we discuss:

• [1:25] What sets robotics companies apart from other industries

• [15:50] The shift from legacy giants to embracing specialized boutique firms

• [21:57] If humanoid robotics is the long-term solution to heavy labor needs

Craving more? You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Evolving Industry on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This episode explores the critical intersection of innovation and AI risk management. Alec Crawford, Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc., shares his journey from managing Wall Street risk during the 2008 financial crisis to securing the modern AI frontier. He debunks the myth that data governance is a “roadblock,” explaining how automated frameworks actually accelerate adoption by preventing “rogue AI’ failures. The conversation provides a warning about the shifting regulatory landscape, the dangers of “poisoned” databases, and why maintaining ownership of your proprietary data is the only sustainable competitive advantage in the AI arms race.

Join us as we discuss:

• [1:43] How a company’s personality affects their risk management profile

• [15:37] Why AI and data governance is an accelerant, not a drag

• [23:14] What people should look forward to from a regulatory perspective

Craving more? You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Evolving Industry on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This episode explores the transition from a “grind” mentality to a freedom-first operating system. Mark Rampolla, Co-founder and Managing Partner at GroundForce Capital and author of An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Freedom, shares how he achieved conventional success only to realize he lacked internal freedom. He discusses how to shift focus from time management to energy management, implementing personal ideologies like the “freedom key” to dismantle internal critics and hidden guilt. The conversation provides a transparent look at the power of vulnerability in the boardroom, including a raw story of how admitting “I don't know” broke an organizational stalemate and how radical candor yields better results than false harmony.

Join us as we discuss:

• [1:23] Why energy is our limiting resource, not time

• [12:50] Reshaping your self-assessment through a lens of curiosity instead of criticism

• [20:59] Balancing company goals with a freedom-first mindset

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Freedom by Mark Rampolla
  

Craving more? You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Evolving Industry on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the GovTech super worker, unpacking how AI is transforming public sector roles. Denise Hemke, Chief Product Officer at NEOGOV, explains why government customers, unlike those in the private sector, are uniquely collaborative and eager to share data to “raise the tide for everyone.” She details AI applications like the recall product, which uses reinforcement learning to ensure public safety officers have critical policies top-of-mind for split-second decisions. The conversation also covers how AI is changing product development through rapid prototyping and the central importance of mission and wellness in serving first responders.

Join us as we discuss:

• [7:37] Creating “super workers” by driving efficiencies in policy management

• [12:16] Reinforcement training and conversational policy searches with AI

• [23:22] Using rapid prototyping to manage strategic product roadmaps

Craving more? You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Evolving Industry on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we frame the challenge of adapting to AI using the octopus organization model. Stephen Wunker, Managing Director at New Markets Advisors and co-author of AI and the Octopus Organization, discusses the need to think beyond 5% process efficiencies and aim for 35% process rethink. Drawing on lessons from the first smartphone, Stephen explains the "Three Hearts" framework for balancing analytic, agile, and aligned operations. The conversation also tackles the need for rapid rewrite squads, cross-functional teams empowered to quickly adapt workflows, and how to set organizational guardrails against the potential for dangerous “rogue AI.”

Join us as we discuss:

• [4:40] Addressing legacy processes before trying to solve new problems with AI

• [10:01] What human orgs can learn from the agility and adaptability of the octopus

• [19:53] The dangers of reckless AI use across siloed departments and the hardest part about an organizational transition to an AI strategy

Craving more? You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Evolving Industry on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This episode dives into the evolution of private equity and the strategy of operationalizing brand. Scott Markman, President at MonogramGroup, shares insights from nearly 30 years in PE-backed companies. He explains why the operating partner role is now essential and reframes the public's perception of PE by focusing on the real value created in the middle market. The conversation tackles the difficult challenge of executing brand strategy in rollups and herding founder-led companies through name changes and cultural transitions to unlock millions in valuation. Scott details the craft of complex problem solving that delivers world-class impact to essential, unsexy businesses.

Join us as we discuss:

• [3:48] The evolution of private equity from a few firms to thousands of specialized groups

• [12:41] Why organizational branding is critical to getting regional leaders on board through the PE transition 

• [22:25] The highs of making a positive impact on scaling companies
  

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Beer Stories for Private Equity

Craving more? You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Evolving Industry on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jessica Want, Enterprise Data Practices Director at the Maryland Department of Information Technology, compares the current AI era to the dot-com boom, arguing that AI hype is creating a dangerous culture that diminishes young talent and expertise. She also discusses why UX often gets pushed to the background by rigid frameworks like Agile. The conversation covers the loss of organic mentorship in remote culture, the importance of accessibility in public sector work, and the need for companies to foster truly inclusive environments for diverse talent.

Join us as we discuss:

• [1:41] How the internet’s “golden age” compares to the age of AI and the decline in user experience

• [12:38] Intentionality in remote work culture mentorship and why it’s important to hire young people

• [19:12] Women in tech and the inherent need to diversify voices in the field

Craving more? You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Evolving Industry on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we’re redefining the innovation mindset. Arun Samuga, Supply Chain Technology Executive at Elemica, challenges the idea that innovation is only about bleeding-edge technology. He argues that true innovation often lies in incremental steps, adapting solutions from other industries, and solving real-world problems. Arun discusses the critical balance between internal core focus and external supply chain optimization, addressing challenges like managing technical debt and navigating talent shortages. Tune in as we unpack the importance of a continuous improvement mindset and prioritizing stability over speed for lasting progress.

Join us as we discuss:

• [1:04] Redefining innovation and looking outside your industry for new ideas

• [16:23] Bridging ideas between the C-suite and frontline employees

• [26:01] Confronting tech debt and prioritizing the hunt for solutions
  

Craving more? You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Evolving Industry on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This episode dives into the brand frameworks of companies. Tyler Borders, Chief Brand Officer at Carnegie, discusses his journey from artist to brand strategist and how he flipped the script on traditional branding. He explains his psychographic framework for going beyond demographics to understand what truly motivates an audience. The conversation also explores the transition from a nimble "pirate ship" startup to a repeatable "battleship" organization and the challenge of maintaining an innovative edge.

Join us as we discuss:

• [1:19] Psychographic frameworks and shifting to a research-first branding mindset

• [10:38] Automation versus the human element and avoiding paralysis by analysis

• [19:56] Navigating higher ed stakeholders and pushback on innovation

Craving more? You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Evolving Industry on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.