In this milestone 20th episode of Innovate or Evaporate, we sit down with cultural icon and hip hop pioneer Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of RunDMC. But this isn’t just a story about music—it’s about reinvention, mental health, and the power of using your platform for purpose.

From changing the sound of a generation to confronting his own internal battles, DMC opens up about staying relevant in a world that never stops moving. He shares how vulnerability became his superpower, why creativity is a business, and what drives his mission to empower the next generation through storytelling and service.

Whether you’re a founder, artist, or changemaker—this episode is a raw, inspiring reminder that true innovation starts within.

Takeaways

Culture moves when people do. DMC broke more than records, he broke barriers.

Reinvention is essential: what got you here won’t get you there.

Mental health isn’t a side conversation. It’s central to leadership.

Creativity is a business, and legacy is built with intention.

Staying relevant requires purpose, courage, and evolution.

Keywords

Darryl McDaniels, RunDMC, DMC, hip hop, music industry, authenticity, adoption, therapy, pop culture, collaboration, sneakers, comic books

What happens when an engineer-turned-founder decides to tear up the rulebook on how modern software gets built? In this episode, Toph Day sits down with Sean Hise, CEO of Crafted, to explore the rise of "vibe coding," the future of AI-assisted product development, and why building faster and scaling smarter is more critical than ever. Sean shares how he built Crafted from a hallway conversation into a national force in tech innovation, with clients ranging from USA Football to MISO and beyond. From flag football in the 2028 Olympics to modernizing the electric grid — this one is a masterclass in innovation, disruption, and letting it rip.

What if startup investing wasn’t just for the 1%? In this episode of Innovate or Evaporate, Toph Day sits down with Gerry Hays — five‑time founder, venture professor at Indiana University’s Kelley School, and CEO of Doriot — to unpack a revolutionary idea: venture staking. Gerry’s been on a decades‑long mission to open access to early‑stage capital, and now with the launch of Doriot and his Qualified Accredited Investor (QAI) curriculum, he’s building a platform that could reshape who gets to play and win in startup investing.

We explore:

Whether you care about entrepreneurship, wealth-building, or financial inclusion, this episode offers a bold vision for the future of venture.

Takeaways

#InnovateOrEvaporate #VentureStaking #StartupInvesting #FinancialInclusion #GerryHays #Doriot #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #QAI #DoriotUniversity #Crowdfunding #StartupFunding #AngelInvesting #DisruptVC #FutureOfFinance

In this conversation, Shelly Zalis, CEO and founder of The Female Quotient, shares her journey of building a global community and the importance of collective action in empowerment in the workplace. She discusses the challenges of leadership, the significance of emotional intelligence, and the need for cultural belonging in organizations. Shelly emphasizes the importance of education, kindness, and the power of collaboration in creating change. The conversation highlights the necessity of challenging the status quo and the role of women in shaping the future of leadership and innovation.

Sound bites

"Power the pack."

"No risk, no regret."

"Confidence is beautiful."

Takeaways

The Female Quotient started as a passion project, evolving into a global movement.

Collective action among women can create significant change in the workplace.

Empowerment should come from within, not from external validation.

The importance of collaboration over competition in achieving success.

Cultural belonging is essential for a thriving workplace environment.

Education should include life lessons and kindness as core values.

Women in leadership roles can inspire future generations.

Emotional intelligence is a critical skill in leadership.

Challenging the status quo is necessary for progress.

Creating opportunities for women can lead to a more equitable society.

Keywords

women empowerment, leadership, community, collective action, gender equality, innovation, workplace culture, emotional intelligence, education, global perspectives

Reuben Brigety II — former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa — joins Toph Day for a powerful conversation on leadership, diplomacy, and building in the global arena. From commanding missions abroad to launching Busara Advisors, Inc. with a Series A out of the gate, Brigety is redefining what commercial diplomacy looks like in the 21st century.

Jeanna Q. Liu didn’t just leave Wall Street — she reinvented what it means to grow something from the ground up. As founder and CEO of Cowbell Plant Co., Jeanna turned her background in global investment banking into a playbook for sustainable, capital-efficient entrepreneurship.

In this episode of Innovate or Evaporate, we talk about:

Takeaways

The Cowbell story proves hardware isn’t dead. It’s just underserved.

Plants are the new pets. And we’re only beginning to understand the emotional impact of biophilic design.

Keywords

#JeannaQLiu #CowbellPlantCo #InnovateOrEvaporate #VentureCapital #Bootstrapped #HardwareStartups #BiophilicDesign #PlantCare #SustainableLiving #StartupJourney #ProductDevelopment #FemaleFounder #MergersAndAcquisitions #DistributionStrategy #DTC #Entrepreneurship #StartupGrowth #ElevateVentures #TophDay #SelfWateringTech

Manny Ohonme’s first pair of shoes changed his life—and he’s been on a mission ever since. In this unforgettable episode, Manny shares how a single act of kindness sparked a global movement that’s now put shoes on over 12 million feet across 113 countries. As founder of Samaritan’s Feet and CEO of World Shoe, Manny fuses nonprofit grit with scalable innovation. Toph and Manny dive deep into the staggering health consequences of being shoeless, the power of servant leadership, and how Manny’s next mission—training thousands of shoe entrepreneurs—is poised to uplift entire economies. From street kid in Lagos to global social entrepreneur, Manny’s story is proof that the power of one can ripple across the world.

Takeaways

One act can change everything: A single pair of shoes gifted to Manny at age 9 inspired a global mission that’s now reached over 12 million people.

Scaling impact through innovation: Manny’s pivot from nonprofit to manufacturing with World Shoe shows how business models can fuel massive social change.

Local manufacturing, global reach: With a factory in Ghana producing 5 million shoes annually, Manny is proving that Africa can be a hub of global innovation.

Entrepreneurship as empowerment: Manny is raising $1M to launch 100 shoe entrepreneurs—building a new economy from the ground up.

A model of servant leadership: The act of foot washing isn’t just symbolic—it’s central to how Manny connects dignity with delivery.

Vision meets execution: What started as a goal to give away 10 million shoes is now a blueprint to reach 600 million—and beyond.

Keywords

#InnovateOrEvaporate #TophDay #PodcastDrop #NewEpisode #MannyOhonme #SamaritansFeet #WorldShoe #SolePurpose #ImpactEntrepreneur #ServantLeadership #SocialImpact #GlobalHealth #AfricaRising #MadeInAfrica #BusinessForGood #ZeroShoelessPeople #ScaleImpact #ShoesThatChangeLives #PhilanthropyToProfit #FootwearInnovation #EntrepreneurshipInAfrica #NonprofitLeadership

Before Sweetwater became a billion-dollar brand, it was a one-man recording studio in the back of a VW bus. In this episode, Toph sits down with founder Chuck Surack to explore the relentless, often surprising journey behind one of the most trusted names in music retail. From programming early CRM systems to flying across the country to deliver sounds to Stevie Wonder, Chuck shares timeless lessons in customer obsession, quiet leadership, and doing the right thing — always. Whether you're scaling a startup or reinventing your legacy, this is an episode you’ll play on repeat.

At RALLY Innovation Conference, Toph sat down with Tia White, a trailblazing AI and machine learning executive whose journey from a small-town upbringing to the forefront of tech innovation is nothing short of inspiring. Tia shares her story of breaking barriers, her self-taught skills in Python, and her rise to leadership roles at Capital One and beyond. In this episode, they explore the disruptive power of AI, the future of software development, and the importance of diversity and inclusion in technology. Tia also emphasizes the need for responsible AI practices and her vision for empowering the next generation through STEAM education. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, tech enthusiast, or just curious about AI’s potential, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration.

Takeaways

Tia White emphasizes that AI is accessible to everyone, not just the elite.

Overcoming adversity can foster resilience and determination.

Education can pivot career paths in unexpected ways.

A human-centered approach is essential in product development.

AI tools are already disrupting traditional developer roles.

Embracing AI is crucial for staying relevant in the workforce.

AI can enhance customer experiences and operational efficiency.

Leaders must adapt to AI or risk being left behind.

Responsible use of AI is vital to prevent societal issues.

Diversity in tech is necessary to combat bias in AI systems.

Sound Bites

"It's not for the elitist."

"I think there's a place for everyone."

"It's great for the customer."

"We have to use it responsibly."

Keywords

AI, machine learning, career development, technology, innovation, education, diversity, responsible AI, Tia White, overcoming adversity

From college hoops to calling the Olympics, Zora Stephenson’s path to NBC Sports is a story of bold moves, relentless preparation, and authentic connection. In this conversation, Zora shares what it takes to thrive in today’s fast-changing media world and why humanizing athletes is the real future of sports storytelling.

Takeaways

Zora's experience at the Olympics showcased the emotional connection of live sports.

The sports industry is evolving with the rise of women's sports and increased attendance.

Live events provide a unique experience that cannot be replicated through screens.

The future of sports broadcasting will continue to focus on live experiences and audience engagement.

Keywords

innovation, sports, broadcasting, play-by-play, Olympics, Zora Stevenson, women's sports, authenticity, storytelling, media