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🚀 What’s the secret to building a world-class influencer marketing program? Ryan Debenham, CEO of GRIN, joins Making Data Simple to break down the future of creator-driven marketing, AI’s role in the space, and how GRIN is reshaping brand-influencer partnerships.

💡 From Red Bull’s marketing playbook to a key conversation about the “Secret Sauce”, Ryan shares the insights, technology, and mindset needed to scale a creator-powered brand in today’s digital economy.

🔹 Key Topics:
✅ What makes a great influencer?
✅ How GRIN is redefining the industry
✅ AI’s impact on marketing
✅ The future of remote companies

⌛️Minute Markers

02:11 Meet Ryan Debenham
07:54 Running a Startup
08:46 Modeled after Red Bull
12:01 GRIN
15:44 Influencer Marketing
17:52 Who are the Influencers
18:45 Secret Sauce
22:51 The Technology
24:51 The 2-Min GRIN Pitch
31:16 AI in Marketing
34:32 GRIN's Future
36:06 A Remote Company
38:35 In Closing

📢 Listen now!

🎧 Guest: Ryan Debenham | LinkedIn | Website
🌍 Host: Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM | LinkedIn

📩 Want to be a guest? Email us at [email protected]

🔗 Hashtags:
#MakingDataSimple #InfluencerMarketing #CreatorEconomy #AIinMarketing #BrandGrowth #MarketingTech #Leadership #GRIN #RyanDebenham

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

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Innovating on Wall Street: Kristen McGarry on Data, AI, and Technical Sales

🎧 Tune in for an insider’s look at the technical strategies shaping the future of finance.

Kristen McGarry, Principal Account Technical Lead for IBM’s Financial Services Market, returns to Making Data Simple to dive deeper into the intersection of technology and Wall Street. Based in NYC, Kristen works with the world’s largest financial institutions to drive innovation, accelerate time to value, and implement cutting-edge solutions across software, hardware, and services.

In this episode, we break down the realities of technical sales, the evolving role of data science in finance, and what Wall Street is getting right (or wrong) about AI. Kristen also shares key insights on the challenges of working with financial giants and predictions for the future of tech in banking.

⏱ Episode Highlights:
📍 02:57 – An Intro to Kristen McGarry
📍 04:36 – Why IBM?
📍 09:25 – The Attraction of Data Science
📍 11:51 – A Day in the Life of an Account Technical Leader
📍 13:30 – Technical Sales versus Sales
📍 15:05 – Continuing to Innovate
📍 19:09 – Dealing with Wall Street
📍 20:17 – The Methodology
📍 22:23 – The How of Technical Sales
📍 23:05 – Continuous Learning
📍 28:03 – Management System
📍 30:34 – Wall Street Learnings
📍 32:20 – Biggest Challenge
📍 33:08 – The Data Challenge
📍 34:22 – Best Data Science Use Cases in Finance
📍 36:14 – What Do Clients Miss on AI?
📍 38:09 – Predictions

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-mcgarry/

Website: https://www.ibm.com/

#MakingDataSimple #DataScience #AIinFinance #TechSales #WallStreet #IBM #Innovation #FinancialServices #Leadership #ContinuousLearning #AI

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

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🚀 The Coaching Discussion Reprise with Katie McLuckie and a special guest!

In this episode, we dive into the value of coaching—what it takes to find the right coach, the ups and downs of the journey, and what to watch out for. If you're considering a business coach, this one's for you!

🎧 Episode Breakdown:
⏱️ 01:33 – Meet Katie McLuckie
⏱️ 04:11 – Transitioning from Urban Planning
⏱️ 07:02 – Finding a Coach
⏱️ 13:34 – A Silly Coaching Example 🤔
⏱️ 21:10 – The Coaching Folder 📂
⏱️ 23:33 – The Show After the Show 🎭
⏱️ 27:05 – Corporate vs. Individual Coaching
⏱️ 29:17 – Red Flags 🚩
⏱️ 30:50 – The Echo Chamber 🔄

🔗 Connect with Katie: linkedin.com/in/katiemcluckie

🎙️ Want to be a guest on Making Data Simple?
📩 Email us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next!

🔥 Hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership—all while keeping it simple & fun.

Al's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-martin-ku 

Katherine the "Special Guest"  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katemayne

#MakingDataSimple #Podcast #Coaching #BusinessCoaching #Leadership #CareerGrowth #Innovation #CorporateCoaching #CoachingJourney #TechAndLeadership

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

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In this special replay episode of Making Data Simple, Al Martin sits down with Matt Cowell, CEO of QuantHub, to dive deep into data literacy, upskilling, and solving learning challenges. Matt shares his expertise on defining data fluency, the best ways to learn, and how organizations can close the data skill gap. From client use cases to leadership insights, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways for businesses and individuals navigating the data-driven world.

Show Notes & Chapter Markers:

⏳ 2:25 – From SVP of Products to Data Learning Business
📊 3:48 – Defining Data Literacy
🎓 5:50 – Teaching the Products
🚧 7:36 – What’s Out of Scope?
🏢 12:50 – Client Use Case
💡 18:07 – Solving Learning Problems
📖 21:14 – What Does a Learning Plan Look Like?
🔍 25:08 – Defining Micro
🧠 30:20 – Best Ways to Learn
📈 33:14 – Measuring Success
💰 34:47 – Venture Capital Funding
🌟 36:10 – Fundamental Leadership Belief
🔑 38:24 – The Most Valuable Leadership Skill

🔗 Connect & Resources:

• QuantHub
• Matt Cowell on LinkedIn
• Books Mentioned: Monetizing Innovation, Ultra Learning
• Connect with the Team:
  • 🎤 Host: Al Martin
  • 🎬 Producers: Kate Mayne

📩 Want to be a guest?

Reach out to [email protected] and tell us why you should be next!

📢 Hashtags:

#MakingDataSimple #DataLiteracy #Upskilling #AI #BigData #TechPodcast #Leadership #LearnData #QuantHub

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

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The master of Artificial Intelligence: Ruchir Puri, Chief Scientist of IBM Research, an IBM Fellow, and Vice-President of IBM Corporate Technology.  AI questions you were afraid to ask, from hallucinations to watsonx. #makingdatasimple #watsonx

Welcome to the enlightening world of AI with Ruchir Puri, the Master of Artificial Intelligence and esteemed guest on our podcast. Join us as we embark on a captivating journey, delving deep into the realms of AI that you've always been curious about but hesitant to ask. From hallucinations to WatsonX, we leave no stone unturned in our quest for knowledge. Ruchir Puri, Chief Scientist of IBM Research and IBM Fellow, as well as Vice-President of IBM Corporate Technology, shares his expertise and insights, unraveling the complexities and potential of AI. Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of AI's capabilities and its impact on our lives. Prepare to have your questions answered and be amazed by the wonders of AI.

• 02:17 Meet Ruchir Puri the "Maker"
• 09:24 A day in the life 14:22 The AI hype 24:21 Why now?
• 27:36 The AI triangle
• 35:57 Why IBM 40:58 Deciding factors
• 43:57 Is bigger better?
• 47:59 Hallucinations 
• 49:53 watsonx
• 52:33 Who are you betting on?
• 54:23 First steps

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruchir-puri-b117021a

Website: https://www.ibm.com/watsonx

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

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In this Part 2 of our conversation with Marco Rota, VP of Strategic Technology Alliances at Lumen Technologies, we dive headfirst into the technical side of Lumen’s mission. From fiber-optics and edge computing to quantum breakthroughs—all propelled by powerful industry partnerships—Marco sheds light on how Lumen is enabling cutting-edge solutions and driving technology transformations. If you’re eager to see how culture, leadership, and advanced tech come together to reshape industries, this episode is for you!

• 00:31 Lumen's Technology
• 02:37 Transformational Use Cases
• 04:46 Edge Computing
• 06:20 Quantum
• 10:35 Wrapping Up Technology
• 13:25 Supercharged Partnerships
• 15:55 THE Leadership Principle
• 18:16 For Fun
• 23:01 A World-class Chef

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/marcorotapix

Website: https://www.lumen.com/en-us/home.html

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

#MakingDataSimple #LumenTechnologies #FiberOptics #EdgeComputing #Quantum #TechInnovation #Partnerships #BusinessTransformation #Leadership

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

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Welcome back to Making Data Simple, where we explore how data-driven strategies ignite innovation and transform businesses. In this exciting episode, we sit down with Marco Rota, VP of Strategic Technology Alliances at Lumen Technologies, whose incredible journey spans from the glitz of Hollywood to leading-edge telecommunications. Tune in as Marco reveals how embracing a vibrant culture, drawing on lessons from the entertainment industry, and championing new technologies can propel teams and organizations to new heights of success. Get ready for an inspiring, behind-the-scenes look at how “culture eats strategy for breakfast”—and why that’s a game-changer for your organization, too!

• 01:47 – Meet Marco Rota
  Marco shares his background and how his career path took him from the dynamic world of Hollywood to a leadership role at Lumen Technologies. He underscores his passion for storytelling, collaboration, and innovation—elements that continue to shape his work in tech.
• 03:35 – Learnings from Hollywood
  Drawing on Hollywood’s fast-paced environment, Marco highlights the importance of creative thinking and adaptability. He explains how these traits help push organizations to stay ahead of disruption and continually evolve, just like the film industry does to meet audience demands.
• 10:56 – Transitioning to Lumen Technologies
  Marco describes his shift from entertainment into the telecommunications and technology space. He emphasizes the parallels between Hollywood and tech—both thrive on communication, audience engagement, and cutting-edge production processes.
• 15:55 – What IS Lumen Technologies
  Marco explains Lumen’s core mission: powering next-generation connectivity, cloud, edge computing, and security solutions. By marrying technology services with an innovative culture, Lumen seeks to help organizations accelerate data-driven transformation.
• 18:29 – Culture versus Technology
  An organization’s culture can be its greatest asset—or its biggest hurdle. Culture “eats strategy for breakfast” because fostering collaboration, trust, and continuous learning is what truly drives successful technology initiatives forward.
• 24:20 – The Management System
  Marco talks about the framework for leadership and team alignment at Lumen, which integrates vision, purpose, and measurable goals. This system ensures that cultural values and strategic objectives reinforce each other—resulting in cohesive, energized teams ready to tackle the biggest challenges in tech.

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/marcorotapix

Website: https://www.lumen.com/en-us/home.html

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

#MakingDataSimple #CultureEatsStrategy #DataInnovation #DigitalTransformation #TechLeadership #PodcastEpisode #HollywoodToTech #LumenTechnologies #BusinessInsights #Inspiration

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

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Money Ball is back! Nancy Hensley, Chief Marketing Officer for Stats Perform, gives us the latest on data analytics in sports. If you like sports don't listen unless you have time to be entertained.

Show Notes

• 04:09 What does Money Ball look like now?
• 07:30 Mrs Chicago's personal update
• 08:40 Fan website: The Analyst
• 11:16 Stats Perform for the rest of us
• 17:25 Sports tech competitors
• 18:34 Monetizing data. $115M for NFL data! What?
• 27:44 Broadcaster and Pressbox

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyhensley/

Website: https://statsperform.com/

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

#MakingDataSimple #MoneyBall #DataAnalytics #StatsPerform #SportsTech #MakingData Simple

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

Send us Fan Mail

Let's talk business leadership coaching with Kate Mayne, Director of Partner and

Digital Technical Sales, IBM. For Kate coaching is a practice. Mission and values.

How to map out your 2025 plan.

• 02:13 Meet Kate Mayne
• 08:16 Business Coaching
• 16:00 Mission and Values
• 22:41 Starting the New Year
• 26:41 Define the Characteristics you Desire
• 28:57 Mapping Out Your Plan
• 40:35 How Do You Stay Present
• 45:15 Coaching in Summary
• 47:43 Rapid Fire
• 50:53 The Self-help Book

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/katemayne
Website: https://www.ibm.com/partnerplus
Crucial Conversations book: https://cruciallearning.com/books/

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

#LeadershipCoaching #BusinessLeadership #MissionAndValues #2025Planning #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #CoachingTips #StayPresent #SelfHelpBooks #MakingDataSimple #KateMayne #IBMLeadership #BusinessInnovation

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

Send us Fan Mail

The AI Patent Attorney, Robert Plotkin is back!  Founding partner of Blueshift IP and author of AI Armor and The Genie in the Machine.  Robert outlines the new gold rush and how to take advantage of it.

• 02:59 Meet Robert Plotkin Again
• 06:56 Robert's Brand 09:21 Why do Another Book
• 11:33 What Can be Patented?
• 14:18 Patent Attorneys
• 19:10 Coca-Cola
• 23:19 Patent Litigation
• 26:23 Ignoring Copyrights
• 2847 Open Source vs Patents
• 30:32 4 Stages for IP Protection
• 37:45 The Best Tech Patent
• 40:38 The New Gold Rush 43:10 Is AI Liable
• 49:20 Who Should Read the Book?
• 50:52 Where to Reach Robert
• 51:25 Wrap Up

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/robertplotkin

Website: https://www.blueshiftip.com

Want to be featured on Making Data Simple? Reach out at [email protected] and share why you should be our next guest. Hosted by Al Martin, AI Enthusiast, Trusted Advisor, and Curious Technologist, the Making Data Simple podcast brings you actionable insights from the leaders shaping AI, data, and innovation.

#MakingDataSimple #AIInnovation #PatentLaw #RobertPlotkin #BlueshiftIP #AIArmor #TheGenieInTheMachine #TechLeadership #IntellectualProperty #FutureOfAI #AITrends #InnovationStrategy

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.