Do you have 10 minutes-ish to spare? Tune in to quick talks with innovation leaders, Founders and Executives about real and quick stories about the trials, tribulations and successes as a result of an innovation mindset. So this begs the question, do you keep innovation alive? We will look forward to having you join us. 🫶💯😎

“Innovation comes from being able to shift from doing something because it's possible, into then doing something because it’s meaningful.” This concept provides some insight into the mindset of our next guest, Kevin Dexter. Kevin has spent much of his career as a leader in consumer-branded companies. And with many of our listeners spending more time at home over the past couple of years, there is a good chance he has helped affect each of our daily lives through his products. 

Today, Kevin is the EVP and President of the Dealer Business Unit for Springs Window Fashions, commonly known for Bali®, Graber®, and SunSetter™ brands. Before SWF, he held executive positions at Fisher & Paykel Appliances, Haier America, Samsung, and Electrolux. Kevin is also a member of the Fast Company Impact Council.

Learn about the show: https://www.keepinnoalive.com/podcastLearn about host Bill Nottingham: https://bio.site/billnottinghamSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keepinnoalive

Nick De Blasio is a driven innovator, having helped Co-Found Ingenius for Nestlé, an internationally recognized innovation program, which helps employees turn their ideas into meaningful new businesses for the company.Today, Nick is a Director for Capgemini Invent and he collaborates with international client companies, where many of which are at the crossroads of new technology, providing strategy from Design to Operations. Learn about the show: https://www.keepinnoalive.com/podcastLearn about host Bill Nottingham: https://bio.site/billnottinghamSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keepinnoalive

To our loyal listeners, you'll find that this episode is almost double the promised short "10 Minutes" format, but with our guest, Jim, you can't really pair this discussion down. Tune in and subscribe, I know you will be captivated by his story and philosophy.Our next guest needs no introduction. Jim McCann is a successful entrepreneur, business leader, author, media personality, and philanthropist whose passion is helping people deliver smiles. Jim’s belief in the universal need for social connections and interaction led to his founding of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc., where he has grown into one of the world’s leading floral and gourmet gifting companies. Jim’s willingness to embrace new technologies that enhance customer engagement, such as 800 phone numbers and e-commerce, often long before other retailers, has consistently helped his family of companies grow, including Harry & David, Cheryl’s Cookies, The Popcorn Factory and many more ahead. I’m sure many of us have used these companies, which reminds me that I need to get one more gift for the holidays.Podcast Episode Website: https://www.keepinnoalive.com/season-1/s1-episode-14-encoreLearn about the show: https://www.keepinnoalive.com/podcastLearn about host Bill Nottingham: https://bio.site/billnottinghamSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keepinnoalive

Our guest, Hank Izzo has been an innovator in consumer-packaged goods for almost 3 decades. During his 22-year career at Mars, he held positions as General Manager, Chief Marketing Officer, and Vice President of R&D and Innovation and was responsible for global innovation platforms for Mars flagship M&M’s Brand.  During our discussion, Hank shares his perspective and examples of what powers innovation and enables a culture of creativity and possibility.  Hank recently retired from Mars and continues his passion for innovation and entrepreneurship, focused on sustainability and the next generation of food technology. He is advising, investing, and founding his own start-ups through his company BriteGreens LLC. Watch a short audiogram video: https://youtu.be/urOvZmwsk8ULearn about the show: https://www.keepinnoalive.com/podcastLearn about host Bill Nottingham: https://bio.site/billnottinghamSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keepinnoalive

Our guest is an award-winning filmmaker and scientist, Valerie Weiss. She has infused her signature blend of elevated and emotional storytelling into her four feature films and dozens of television episodes. Valerie's work has been called "daringly light" for the way it embraces controversial topics in enchanting ways and spans the genres of action, thriller, drama, science-fiction, and comedy. She has directed feature films and episodes of television for shows like Chicago Med, The Rookie, and Outer Banks. Her film for Netflix, “Mixtape” starring Julie Bowen, was awarded a 100% approval rating by Rotten Tomatoes and has been recognized as one of the best movies for families in 2021.  We discuss how her science degree background has influenced her work and how she approaches new creative projects. Watch a short audiogram video: https://youtu.be/IV-CDyFUULQLearn about the show: https://www.keepinnoalive.com/podcastLearn about host Bill Nottingham: https://bio.site/billnottinghamSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keepinnoalive

The last couple of years has been historic for Space Tourism, thanks to companies like Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic. Our guest, Rob Meyerson, has had more than 30 years of experience in the aerospace industry, including serving as the President of Blue Origin from 2003 to 2017. Today, Rob is the founder and CEO of Delalune Space, a management consulting company focused on aerospace, mobility, technology, and investment. Rob is on the Board of Directors of Axiom Space. On April 6, Axiom is scheduled to fly the first private crew to the International Space Station (ISS) and they are developing a commercial module to attach to the ISS. Listen in to our discussion and you will think differently the next time you look up at the sky.Watch a short audiogram video: https://youtu.be/9PIDc-v1qS0

Learn about the show: https://www.keepinnoalive.com/podcastLearn about host Bill Nottingham: https://bio.site/billnottinghamSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keepinnoalive

Our guest, Jennifer Thomas, is the Managing Director of Plug and Play Tech Center in Cleveland. She also leads the Healthcare Vertical nationally for the company. Plug and Play is the world's largest early-stage investor, accelerator, and corporate innovation platform headquartered in Silicon Valley. We've seen the landscape of healthcare change dramatically over the last couple of years due to the Pandemic. It's the startups that are nimble and able to deliver breakthrough innovation. Plug and Play connect them with corporate medical partners to help put their technology to practice and improve patient care and outcomes. Jennifer highlights one of their startup partners, Babyscripts. In collaboration with University Hospitals and Roche, they are providing a digital platform to help moms use technology to stay in touch with their physicians, monitor their babies, and have immediate access to care in and out of the hospital. Watch a short audiogram video: https://youtu.be/SwBkKz61AwgLearn about the show: https://www.keepinnoalive.com/podcastLearn about host Bill Nottingham: https://bio.site/billnottinghamSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keepinnoalive

Our guest, Carey Jaros, is the CEO of GOJO Industries, the makers of Purell. Looking back at January 2020, we can all recall being at the beginning of the Pandemic and the global shutdown. Carey and her team rose to the challenge that month to lead GOJO with a purpose - saving lives and making life better through well-being solutions. Purell products were an easy solution for hand hygiene and helped many of us get back to normal, and even when we fly on planes. Their collaboration with Delta was essential to help passengers start to feel comfortable flying again. Carey and I discussed how innovation has been an integral part of her career at every step. Carey shared how it's important to focus on the problem, rather than obsessing about the solution. We're both innovators at heart, which is probably why I realized that we also both love hot sauce! Watch a short audiogram video: https://youtu.be/igEu9xEfgegLearn about the show: https://www.keepinnoalive.com/podcastLearn about host Bill Nottingham: https://bio.site/billnottinghamSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keepinnoalive

Our guest Kwasi Asare, is a Creative Visionary, Entrepreneur, Marketer, and Business Development Executive. He is the founder of The FEEDIA Agency, a global strategy company, and Co-Founder of ESAIYO, which connects, preserves, and displays important identity and historical data related to NFTs, physical, and virtual objects. He's a fellow member of the Fast Company Executive Board. He considers his time spent at Sony Music as the catalysts for his career in innovation. Some artists and brands that have benefited from his expertise include brands like Ciroc Vodka, Estée Lauder, Ice Cube, Pharrell, Prince, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Outkast, The Roots, and Warner Music Group. Kwasi is also a part of a Decentralized NFT Art based Community called the Billionaire Zombies Club. It is a community that he and I are both members.Watch a short audiogram video: https://youtu.be/IcOjyoU-lhcLearn about the show: https://www.keepinnoalive.com/podcastLearn about host Bill Nottingham: https://bio.site/billnottinghamSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keepinnoalive