INspired INsider Podcast

Kevin Surace is the CEO and CTO at Appvance, a company that provides AI-native software quality assurance and autonomous testing solutions for enterprise applications. He is also Chair of Token, bringing decades of experience as a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, inventor, and futurist. Recognized as the father of the AI virtual assistant, Kevin has led multiple technology companies, earned broad recognition, includingbeing named Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year, and holds dozens of patents. He speaks globally on generative AI, automation, innovation, enterprise software quality, and the future of work.

AI is not just changing how software gets built — it is challenging the foundations of how SaaS companies create value, compete, and survive. As AI tools make it possible to generate code, automate testing, and streamline go-to-market workflows faster than ever, what happens to traditional SaaS moats?

For Kevin Surace, a veteran technology entrepreneur, inventor, and AI pioneer, the answer is that SaaS companies must rethink where they truly add value. He highlights how AI is democratizing software creation, allowing smaller teams and even non-coders to build products that once required large engineering teams and major funding. The result is a more competitive SaaS landscape where speed, execution, trust, governance, and customer outcomes matter more than software complexity alone. Kevin also explains why enterprise companies may not abandon major SaaS platforms overnight, but startups can still disrupt incumbents by building leaner, lower-cost alternatives. He also explores how AI-driven QA can uncover bugs that human testers miss, helping companies improve software quality while accelerating productivity.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Kevin Surace, CEO and CTO at Appvance, to discuss AI disruption and the new future of SaaS. They cover how AI is transforming software development, why QA automation is ripe for disruption, and what SaaS companies must do to adapt. Kevin also shares insights on cybersecurity, identity protection, and the joy-based mindset behind fulfillment and peak performance.

Dr. Amy Osmond Cook, is the Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Fullcast, an AI-native go-to-market platform that helps companies align strategy with revenue execution. A seasoned marketing executive, she has led high-growth companies like Simplus, PathologyWatch, and Onboard from Series A to acquisition. Dr. Cook founded Stage Marketing, a successful full-funnel marketing firm, and has a PhD in Communication from the University of Utah. She is a recognized thought leader in business and healthcare marketing and has taught at ASU, BYU, and the University of Utah.

What happens when the friction between sales and marketing slows down growth, even in companies with great products? Can AI truly fix that gap — or does real acceleration still depend on how people and teams work together? And what does it take to scale revenue without losing alignment along the way?

Dr. Amy Osmond Cook, a seasoned marketing and RevOps leader, explains that growth accelerates when AI-powered systems are combined with strong human alignment across sales and marketing. She highlights how Fullcast unifies forecasting, commissions, territory planning, and revenue operations into one platform to remove friction and improve execution. The result is faster alignment, clearer visibility, and more predictable revenue outcomes. She also shares how strategic acquisitions and deep data integration helped build a scalable system that still prioritizes onboarding and client relationships.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Dr. Amy Osmond Cook, to talk about AI, RevOps, and scaling revenue through better alignment. They discuss building Fullcast through acquisitions, using AI for forecasting and commissions, and improving sales territory planning. Dr. Cook also shares insights on onboarding, post-sale relationships, and maintaining trust during growth.

Rasmus Barfred is the Co-founder of THEMAGIC5, a company redefining athletic gear through custom-fit products powered by 3D scanning and robotic technology. He has helped grow the company into a global brand, securing investment on Shark Tank and expanding its reach worldwide. Building on this technology, he also helped launch Vayu Sleep, which applies custom-fit solutions to CPAP masks for sleep apnea patients. With a background in entrepreneurship, he focuses on scaling innovation across sports and healthcare.

What happens when a simple, everyday frustration turns into an opportunity to rethink an entire industry? How do you go from solving one small problem to building technology that reshapes how products are designed and delivered? And what does it take to turn customization into a true competitive advantage?

According to Rasmus Barfred, a visionary entrepreneur and product innovator, solving the issue of poor-fitting swim goggles meant reimagining the entire process through facial scanning and advanced technology. He highlights how starting with a Kickstarter campaign opened the door to diverse user insights, which helped refine both product and software through continuous feedback loops and AI-driven improvements. This approach transformed a niche idea into a scalable system that serves everyone from casual swimmers to elite athletes. He also shares how positioning the business as a tech platform unlocked new growth opportunities and credibility.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Rasmus Barfred to discuss building a tech-driven brand in sports gear. They explore scaling through hardware and software integration, using AI to enhance customer experience, and leveraging partnerships for growth. Rasmus also shares insights on expanding their technology into new industries.

Rasmus Barfred is the Co-founder of THEMAGIC5, a company redefining athletic gear through custom-fit products powered by 3D scanning and robotic technology. He has helped grow the company into a global brand, securing investment on Shark Tank and expanding its reach worldwide. Building on this technology, he also helped launch Vayu Sleep, which applies custom-fit solutions to CPAP masks for sleep apnea patients. With a background in entrepreneurship, he focuses on scaling innovation across sports and healthcare.

What happens when a simple, everyday frustration turns into an opportunity to rethink an entire industry? How do you go from solving one small problem to building technology that reshapes how products are designed and delivered? And what does it take to turn customization into a true competitive advantage?

According to Rasmus Barfred, a visionary entrepreneur and product innovator, solving the issue of poor-fitting swim goggles meant reimagining the entire process through facial scanning and advanced technology. He highlights how starting with a Kickstarter campaign opened the door to diverse user insights, which helped refine both product and software through continuous feedback loops and AI-driven improvements. This approach transformed a niche idea into a scalable system that serves everyone from casual swimmers to elite athletes. He also shares how positioning the business as a tech platform unlocked new growth opportunities and credibility.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Rasmus Barfred to discuss building a tech-driven brand in sports gear. They explore scaling through hardware and software integration, using AI to enhance customer experience, and leveraging partnerships for growth. Rasmus also shares insights on expanding their technology into new industries.

Artem Koren is the Co-founder & Chief Product Officer at Sembly AI, a company that develops AI-powered meeting intelligence technology, transforming conversations into structured insights and actionable data. He leads product vision and innovation, building tools that help organizations capture knowledge, automate workflows, and improve collaboration. With a background in systems engineering, enterprise consulting, and product leadership, he has held roles at EY and Visual Trading Systems and co-founded earlier ventures. Artem focuses on advancing human-AI collaboration by creating intelligent systems that enhance decision-making and productivity.

Most work still resides in conversations — meetings, calls, and discussions where critical decisions are made but rarely captured in a usable way. What if every conversation could instantly turn into something actionable, eliminating the gap between talking and doing? Could AI finally bridge that disconnect and reshape how work gets done?

Artem Koren, a longtime AI product leader and innovator, explains that AI can now transform raw conversations into structured outputs like proposals, reports, and workflows in real time. He highlights how capturing full meeting context allows systems to automate complex tasks, from identifying action items to generating deliverables without manual effort. The result is a shift from fragmented communication to continuous execution. By leveraging this context, teams can move faster, reduce repetitive work, and improve consistency across projects. He also notes that this approach enables smarter decision-making by preserving institutional knowledge. Over time, organizations become more efficient as AI continuously learns from their workflows.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Artem Koren, Co-founder & Chief Product Officer at Sembly AI, to talk about how AI is transforming meetings into actionable deliverables. They discuss automating sales proposals from conversations, using AI for real-time project reporting, and integrating AI into development workflows. Artem also shares insights on the rise of agentic AI and its impact on the future of work.

Solomon Thimothy is the CEO and Co-founder of Clickx, a marketing intelligence platform for brands and marketers to plan, execute, and measure all their online marketing campaigns. He is also the Co-founder of OneIMS, a leading inbound marketing and sales agency driving measurable results across industries. With nearly two decades of experience, Solomon is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal best-selling author known for applying 10X strategies to help businesses scale leads and revenue efficiently. He is passionate about helping companies leverage AI to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

What happens when your website traffic drops, leads become unpredictable, and customers start relying on AI to make decisions for them? How do you stay visible when algorithms recommend only a handful of options? And what does it really take to compete in a world where AI is reshaping how buyers discover and choose businesses?

Seasoned entrepreneur Solomon Thimothy highlights the need for businesses to transition from traditional SEO to being discovered through AI-based search systems. He highlights how the buyer's journey has fundamentally changed, where authority and relevance now determine visibility. This shift helps companies stay present where decisions are being made. He emphasizes using webinars, AI audits, and clear action plans to assess positioning and improve reach. By leveraging AI tools, teams can personalize outreach, automate workflows, and operate more efficiently. He also shares practical strategies for refining sales processes and creating offers that stand out.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Solomon Thimothy to discuss leveraging AI to future-proof marketing and sales. They explore how AI is changing the buyer journey, ways to increase visibility in AI search, and strategies for scaling outreach through automation. Solomon also shares insights on improving offers and maximizing existing CRM data.

Mark Rampolla is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of GroundForce Capital, a private equity firm that invests in and supports purpose-driven consumer brands focused on health, wellness, and sustainability. He is a visionary entrepreneur and investor who works closely with founders to scale impactful businesses and build enduring companies. Mark is also the Founder and former CEO of ZICO Coconut Water, having pioneered the global coconut water category and led the company through its acquisition by The Coca-Cola Company. He later reacquired ZICO and continues to play a leadership role in shaping its growth and strategy.

Why do so many promising brands fail while a select few break through and dominate their category? Is it luck, timing, or something far more intentional behind the scenes? What separates fleeting trends from enduring, billion-dollar brands?

Mark Rampolla, a seasoned entrepreneur and investor behind multiple high-growth consumer brands, explains that success comes down to disciplined focus and starting with a deeply defined niche. He emphasizes that most companies spread themselves too thin too early, while winning brands double down on what works and build loyal followings before expanding. This approach strengthens product-market fit and creates momentum that fuels scalable growth. He also underscores the importance of self-awareness and adaptability in founders, noting that understanding one's strengths and limitations is critical to long-term success.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Mark Rampolla, Co-founder and Managing Partner of GroundForce Capital, to discuss why most brands fail and how to build one that wins. They explore the power of niche market entry, the importance of product discipline, and how to identify winning consumer brands. Mark also shares advice on redefining success beyond financial outcomes.

Philip Hill is the CEO and President of Purebred Marketing. The Atlanta-based marketing agency creates digital marketing strategies and provides services such as SEO, web design and development, and email marketing. Philip is an avid dog lover and launched his first business in the pet space while attending the University of Alabama.

Sherrie Sokolowski is the Owner of SLS Event Planning and Consulting, a company dedicated to creating seamless, personalized events through thoughtful planning, creative vision, and detail-oriented execution. She has managed high-profile events, including Funnel Hacking Live, and has worked with industry leaders like Russell Brunson and Bill Glazer, producing sold-out experiences for audiences of up to 7,000 attendees.

Richard Jacobs is the Founder of Speakeasy Marketing, a company focused on building meaningful connections through podcasting and curiosity-driven conversations. He has conducted over 4,000 interviews with experts, executives, and innovators, creating opportunities for collaborations, lasting relationships, and ventures such as organizing a Bitcoin conference.

Looking for the right tools, strategies, and resources to grow your business without wasting time on what doesn't work? From AI automation to relationship-building, today's top performers are blending technology with human connection in powerful ways. But how do you actually apply these insights to create real results in your own business?

Philip Hill, Sherrie Sokolowski, and Richard Jacobs share how they transform events, communication, and operations through systems, storytelling, and AI. Philip explains how tools like Perplexity streamline affiliate outreach, reporting, and workflows while emphasizing core business principles and relationships. Sherrie shows how strategic event planning turns experiences like Funnel Hacking Live into growth engines. Richard highlights how podcasting, consistent communication, and systems reduce friction, strengthen relationships, and scale law firm operations.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Philip Hill, Sherrie Sokolowski, and Richard Jacobs, to discuss leveraging AI, systems, and relationship-driven growth. They cover affiliate marketing automation, event strategy, and client communication systems. They also share practical tools, books, and insights on balancing automation with human connection.

Adam Miller is the Founder and former CEO of Cornerstone OnDemand, a Los Angeles–based leader in cloud talent management software. He grew the company from a startup in his apartment into a $5 billion public company with over 3,000 employees, while also helping build Team Rubicon into a 170,000-volunteer global disaster response organization. Adam is also the Founder of Better Angels, tackling homelessness in LA, and LA-Tech.org, which has delivered over 2,000 internships to underserved youth since 2021. Known for his "player-coach" leadership style, he's spent his career solving complex challenges at scale — and is now running for Mayor of Los Angeles.

What does it take to lead through a crisis and still come out stronger? How do you scale a company into the billions while staying true to your vision? And what can leaders learn from navigating both business challenges and real-world community issues?

According to Adam Miller, a seasoned entrepreneur and nonprofit builder, effective leadership comes down to clarity of vision, alignment, and resilience under pressure. He highlights how staying anchored to a clear "North Star" helped him navigate near-failure moments — such as making payroll against the odds and walking away from deals that didn't align with his long-term goals. Drawing from both startup and nonprofit experiences, he emphasizes that strong relationships and shared purpose are critical to scaling impact. These principles, he explains, apply whether you're building a company or addressing complex social issues. His "player-coach" approach — balancing strategy with hands-on execution — has consistently driven meaningful results even in uncertain environments.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Adam Miller to discuss leading through uncertainty and scaling impact. They explore surviving near-failure startup moments, building alignment across teams, and applying business leadership to public service. Adam also shares insights on making tough decisions and leading with integrity.

Hinrik Jósafat Atlason is the Founder and CEO of Atlas Primer, an AI-powered platform designed to unlock human potential through conversational learning and real-world practice. Under his leadership, Atlas Primer has grown into a globally recognized edtech and AI company, earning placement among Time Magazine's top 250 edtech companies. Before founding Atlas Primer, Hinrik worked as a lecturer, where he identified gaps in traditional learning methods.

Paul Burani is the Co-founder and CRO of Atlas Primer, an AI-powered platform designed to unlock human potential through conversational learning and real-world practice. He is a seasoned revenue leader with over two decades of experience in sales, marketing, and go-to-market strategy. Prior to Atlas Primer, Paul held leadership roles at companies like Google, Foursquare, and Udacity and founded multiple ventures, including Mission Flywheel.

Practice is easy to talk about, but much harder to do consistently where it actually matters. In a world where AI can handle so much of the prep work, what really separates top performers from everyone else?

Hinrik Jósafat Atlason, a technology leader focused on human-centered learning, believes the answer lies in how well people show up in real conversations. He explains that while AI can support research and outreach, the final outcome still depends on human connection, often shaped in high-stakes, real-time interactions. Paul Burani adds that consistent, realistic practice, especially in challenging scenarios like objections or negotiations, helps build the confidence and nuance that can't be learned passively. Together, their perspectives highlight that performance improves not through more information, but through deliberate, repeatable practice.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Hinrik Jósafat Atlason and Paul Burani about using AI to turn practice into real-world performance. They discuss how conversational roleplay accelerates sales readiness, how companies reduce ramp time with simulation, and why feedback is the most valuable part of training. They also discuss preparing teams for high-stakes moments, such as trade shows and customer interactions.