NC Tweener Talks

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund.

Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize.

About Tweener Madness: https://www.tweenermadness.com

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Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund.

Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize.

Before the competition kicks off, let's meet the people making the tough calls.

Where to Find Michael Jones:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdjonesy/
• CandleScience: https://www.candlescience.com/

About Tweener Madness: https://www.tweenermadness.com

---
Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

------
Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund.

Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize.

Before the competition kicks off, let's meet the people making the tough calls.

Where to Find Anthony Rotoli:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyrotoli/
• Ocelot: https://ocelot.ai/

About Tweener Madness: https://www.tweenermadness.com

---
Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

------
Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund.

Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize.

Before the competition kicks off, let's meet the people making the tough calls.

Where to Find Anil Chawla:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anilchawla/

About Tweener Madness: https://www.tweenermadness.com

---
Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

------
Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund.

Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize.

Before the competition kicks off, let's meet the people making the tough calls.

Where to Find Dave Neal:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davenealvc/
• Duke Capital Partners: https://dukecapitalpartners.duke.edu/team/

About Tweener Madness: https://www.tweenermadness.com

---
Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

------
Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund.

Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize.

Before the competition kicks off, let's meet the people making the tough calls.

Where to Find Jason Caplain:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncaplain/
• Bull City Venture Partners: https://www.bcvp.com/

About Tweener Madness: https://www.tweenermadness.com

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Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Earfluence.

------
Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund.

Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize.

Before the competition kicks off, let's meet the people making the tough calls.

Where to Find Tobi Walter:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiaswalter/
• Cofounders Capital: https://www.cofounderscapital.com/

About Tweener Madness: https://www.tweenermadness.com

---
Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Earfluence.

------
Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund.

Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize.

Before the competition kicks off, let's meet the people making the tough calls.

Where to Find Randy Myer:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-myer-8322a844/
• UNC Kenan-Flagler: https://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/faculty/directory/randy-myer/

About Tweener Madness: https://www.tweenermadness.com

---
Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Earfluence.

------
Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund.

Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize.

Before the competition kicks off, let's meet the people making the tough calls.

Where to Find Kevin Mosley:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevincmosley/
• Jurasic Capital: https://jurassiccapital.com/

About Tweener Madness: https://www.tweenermadness.com

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Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Earfluence.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

In this special edition of Triangle Tweener Talks, we’re breaking some big news: Walk West has acquired Earfluence! Jason Gillikin, founder of Earfluence (which produces this podcast), and Greg Boone, the incoming CEO of Walk West, join host Scot Wingo to discuss the details of the deal, what it means for the future of both companies, and how this acquisition will reshape the digital marketing and podcasting landscape in the Triangle.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The origin story of Earfluence and how Jason Gillikin transitioned from a corporate career to podcast entrepreneurship.
• Why Walk West sees podcasting as a key component of its future in AI-powered human experiences and content marketing.
• How SEO, AI, and content marketing strategies are shifting, and why podcasting might be the answer to the changing digital landscape.
• Why Jason decided now was the right time to sell, and how this deal represents a 1+1=3 growth opportunity for both companies.
• Greg’s vision for Walk West and how he plans to help founders and businesses grow their brands through AI, content, and community-building.
• The impact of AI on marketing and how businesses can navigate the changing landscape of organic traffic, inbound marketing, and audience engagement.

Where to Find Jason Gillikin and Greg Boone:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasongillikin/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregboone/
• X: https://x.com/aiserious
• Walk West: https://www.walkwest.com

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
• Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
• X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:

01:15 – Jason’s Podcasting Journey: From Side Hustle to Business

05:30 – Why Now? The Decision to Sell Earfluence

09:20 – Walk West’s Vision: AI-Powered Human Experiences

14:00 – The Death of SEO & Rise of AI Search

17:45 – Content, Community, and the Future of Digital Marketing

22:10 – Podcasting’s Power: Trusted, Scalable, and Essential for Brands

26:00 – AI Tools We Actually Use and Recommend

28:45 – Founders Ideation Days: Helping Startups Win

31:00 – Be the Voice, Not the Victim in AI Era

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Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

------
Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/