Rebellious Times Podcast

Rebellious Times Podcast

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Rebellious Times Podcast episodes

  • Episode 13: From Defense Tech to No-Code: Pioneering the Future of Decentralized Computing
    Edge computing and peer-to-peer in defense tech – Socket Supply

    In this episode of the Rebellious Times podcast, Chris Januszewski speaks with Paolo Fragomeni, CEO of Socket Supply, about revolutionizing computing through peer-to-peer technology and edge computing innovation in the defense tech space.

    Discover insights on:

    • The cyclical nature of centralized vs. decentralized computing

    • Building defense-grade peer-to-peer protocols
    • The future of edge computing and device-to-device communication
    • Creating cross-platform applications without platform-specific code
    • The importance of customer proximity in tech innovation

    Key Timestamps:

    05:36 Paolo’s Technical Journey and Early Career

    08:45 The Nodejitsu Platform-as-a-Service Story
    12:23 Historical Computing Cycles
    19:27 Modern Computing Landscape
    23:20 Microsoft’s P2P Implementation Example
    31:01 Public Sector Market Entry
    33:37 Union Application Innovation
    37:51 Customer-Centric Approach

    Key Highlights:

    • The evolution from centralized to edge computing

    • Building defense-grade peer-to-peer protocols
    • Transforming no-code development with Union Studio
    • Why GitHub stars don’t translate to revenue
    • The future of decentralized computing

    Perfect for:

    • Tech leaders exploring edge computing

    • Developers interested in cross-platform solutions
    • Decision-makers in the defense tech sector
    • Anyone curious about the future of computing

    Tech Pillar: Discover how peer-to-peer protocols are revolutionizing everything from defense tech applications to consumer software.

    About Socket Supply:

    Socket Supply is pioneering the future of decentralized computing through innovative peer-to-peer protocols and cross-platform development tools. Their technology enables device-to-device communication without server dependencies, serving both defense sector requirements and commercial applications.

    Socket Supply links:

    socketsupply.co
    LinkedIn

    39 min
  • Episode 12: The Human Side of AI Implementation: Lessons from Entromy’s Journey
    AI Implementation For Organizational Transformation – Entromy

    “AI literacy isn’t just a nice to have” – a crucial insight for today’s leaders navigating organizational transformation through AI implementation.

    Join me in conversation with Kara Whitaker, VP of Strategic Partnerships and Expansion at Entromy, as we explore:

    Key Highlights:

    • Building organizational health through data insights
    • Transforming leadership with real-time feedback
    • Moving beyond traditional employee surveys
    • Implementing AI as a productivity partner
    • Creating friction-free work environments

    Perfect for:

    • Leaders driving organizational change
    • HR professionals seeking better insights
    • Tech leaders implementing AI
    • Anyone interested in employee engagement

    Tech: Learn how successful AI Implementation is revolutionizing organizational health while keeping the human element at its core.

    Company Overview
    • Entromy transforms organizational decision-making through rapid, AI-powered insights. Their platform delivers consultant-quality analysis in hours instead of weeks.
    • Through strategic AI implementation, they help executives uncover business risks and opportunities in real-time.
    • Entromy specializes in analyzing employee feedback to create actionable growth plans. Their technology combines industry expertise with cutting-edge data analysis.
    • The platform supports hundreds of organizations globally, from private equity firms to enterprise companies.
    • Entromy’s unique approach helps leaders identify potential issues before they impact performance. Their solution makes organizational health assessment simple, fast, and effective.
    • Entromy links:

      entromy.com
      LinkedIn

      22 min
    • Episode 11: Balancing the Books & Life: How Modern CFOs Are Ending Spreadsheet Slavery
      Ending Spredsheet Slavery For CFOs – Finnt

      “You can’t get time back” – a powerful reminder as we explore the future of finance and ending spreadsheet slavery.

      Join me in conversation with Anji Ismail, CEO of Finnt, as we explore:

      Key Highlights:

      • The journey from finance professional to tech innovator

      • How AI is augmenting (not replacing) finance roles
      • The critical role of data quality in AI implementation
      • Finding work-life balance as a tech founder
      • Breaking through finance sector resistance to change

      Perfect for:

      • CFOs and finance leaders

      • Tech entrepreneurs in fintech
      • Finance professionals curious about AI
      • Leaders seeking better work-life balance

      Tech: Discover how AI is transforming financial operations while maintaining the crucial human element in decision-making.

      Company Overview

      Finnt is revolutionizing corporate finance by ending spreadsheet slavery for CFOs. Their AI agents transform traditional accounting procedures into streamlined processes. Through these innovations, their platform cuts processing time by 90% while boosting accuracy and unlocking financial insights.

      Finnt brings 12 years of expertise in financial consultancy and ERP implementation. Using this expertise, they free finance teams from repetitive tasks. Their solution empowers professionals to focus on strategic decision-making. The platform combines advanced AI technology with deep financial expertise.

      Finnt operates across multiple languages and regions. They provide tailored ERP consultancy for both SAP and Infor M3 software. Their independence from existing systems sets them apart. They offer flexibility across languages and sectors. As a result, each solution is perfectly matched to unique organizational needs.

      Finnt’s mission goes beyond simple automation. They transform how finance teams work through AI-powered tools. Their technology enhances decision-making and improves data quality. By combining technology with financial expertise, Finnt helps CFOs embrace more strategic roles.

      Finnt links:

      finnt.com
      LinkedIn

      25 min
    • Episode 10: From HR to AI: How a Non-Technical Founder is Disrupting HR Compliance
      The Future of AI in HR Compliance – VirgilHR

      “Empower HR professionals to be more strategic” – turning HR compliance expertise into groundbreaking technology.

      Join Chris, growth partner to startups, on our startup podcast with Jocelyn King, CEO of VirgilHR, as we explore:

      Key Highlights:

      • The journey from HR professional to tech founder
      • Building a SaaS product without a technical background
      • Navigating Techstars as a female founder
      • Balancing HR compliance with employee trust
      • The future of AI in HR technology

      Perfect for:

      • Non-technical founders considering tech ventures
      • HR professionals interested in innovation
      • Female entrepreneurs seeking inspiration
      • Anyone passionate about workplace compliance

      Tech Pillar: Learn how industry expertise can triumph over technical background when solving real-world problems through technology.

      Company Overview

      VirgilHR is a SaaS solution that empowers HR professionals to make compliant employment decisions in real-time. Designed by HR and legal experts, their platform streamlines the HR compliance process. It does this by automating legal research and delivering instant, accurate guidance that evolves with changing labor laws.

      They help HR teams save valuable time and minimize the risks of non-compliance. HR teams can then shift their focus from tedious manual tracking to strategic initiatives that drive business growth. With VirgilHR, organizations can navigate the complexities of employment and labor law with confidence, efficiency, and peace of mind.

      VirgilHR links:

      virgilhr.com
      LinkedIn
      YouTube
      Facebook

      26 min
    • Episode 9: Married to the Mission: A Founder Couple’s Tech Journey
      Innovation in Digital Home Management – HomeZada

      “We spend 33% annually on our homes” – yet most of us lack a digital home management system to manage this vital investment.

      Join Chris, founder of Rebel Commerce Solutions, on our startup podcast with Elizabeth Dodson, Co-Founder of HomeZada, as we explore:

      Key Highlights:

      • Building a tech company with your spouse
      • Setting boundaries in a family business (“No PDA in the office!”)
      • Creating digital solutions for home management
      • The power of mentorship in entrepreneurship
      • Supporting military families through remote work

      Perfect for:

      • Entrepreneurs working with family
      • Property technology innovators
      • Homeowners seeking better management tools
      • Leaders interested in work-life integration

      Life: Discover how successful couples navigate the delicate balance of building a business together while maintaining healthy relationships and professional boundaries.

      Company Spotlight: Homezada – Digital Home Management

      The Problem:

      Many homeowners struggle to manage their home related data. This impacts their ability to make good decisions around home maintenance and managing finances effectively.

      Their Solution:

      • HomeZada is an all-in-one digital home management solution that helps homeowners manage their home inventory for insurance and estate planning purposes. The solution includes:
        • a maintenance calendar to stay on top of tasks
        • project templates to keep homeowners organized and on budget for all their home remodel
        • repair and design projects to manage all the financial details
        • home inventory management
        • HomeZada uses homeowner AI to make all of these processes of managing a home easier and faster.
        • Through HomeZada Professional we can support other related industries like mortgage and finance, estate attorneys, insurance, real estate and homebuilders. These organizations can give the gift of HomeZada to their customers with their branding in the system to have ongoing customer engagement. Or these organizations can enter data on behalf of the customer for instance a home inventory professional or professional organizer who is offering services by using HomeZada to create a home inventory for their customers.
        • What Makes HomeZada Different:

          HomeZada is unique as an all-in-one solution to manage the home. Many people are app exhausted and are looking for centralized systems that have everything in one location. HomeZada provides this to all homeowners across the US.

          Ideal For:

          A homeowner that likes to be organized, is financially responsible and likes to be prepared. HomeZada is for those new homeowners looking to care for and protect their largest investment. Their solution is user friendly so even the least tech savvy person can find value.

          HomeZada links:

          homezada.com
          LinkedIn
          X
          Facebook
          Instagram

          46 min
        • Episode 8: The Bootstrap Blueprint: Building a Profitable B2B Tech Company Without VC Money
          The Bootstrap Path to Startup Success – Zappix

          “Cashflow is king” – wisdom from a leader who chose the bootstrap path to startup success.

          Join Chris, growth partner for B2B SaaS companies, on our startup podcast with Yossi Abraham, CEO of Zappix:

          Key Highlights:

          • Building a profitable tech company without VC funding
          • Navigating healthcare regulations while innovating
          • Implementing AI for meaningful customer engagement
          • Guerrilla marketing strategies that actually work
          • The art of sustainable growth through bootstrapping

          Perfect for:

          • Founders considering the bootstrap route
          • Healthcare tech innovators
          • Customer engagement leaders
          • Anyone interested in sustainable growth strategies

          Tech Pillar: Learn how focusing on solving real problems with AI, rather than following trends, leads to sustainable success in B2B tech.

          Company Spotlight: Zappix

          The Problem:

          Organizations in industries like healthcare, insurance, utilities, and retail still rely heavily on traditional customer service channels that are slow, expensive, and frustrating for users. Long wait times, complex IVR menus, and limited self-service options create poor customer experiences and higher operational costs. At the same time, consumers increasingly expect fast, personalized, mobile-friendly, and on-demand interactions – expectations that legacy systems struggle to meet without costly upgrades.

          Their Solution

          • Intelligent Outreach – Proactively engage customers with timely, personalized notifications and reminders across SMS, email, voice, and digital channels to reduce inbound call volume and improve outcomes.
          • Visual Self-Service – Replace frustrating phone menus with intuitive, visual experiences on any smartphone, empowering customers to resolve issues quickly without speaking to an agent.
          • Workflow Automation – Streamline repetitive tasks and processes with automated workflows that connect directly to backend systems, speeding resolution and eliminating manual effort.
          • Seamless Integration – Easily connects with existing contact center, CRM, EMR, and enterprise systems — no costly infrastructure changes required – ensuring rapid deployment and ROI.
          • What Makes Zappix Different

            • End-to-End Digital Engagement – Combines Intelligent Outreach, Visual Self-Service, and workflow automation in a single platform, delivering a unified customer journey from proactive contact to resolution.
            • No-Rip-and-Replace Integration – Deploys alongside existing contact center and CRM systems, preserving past investments while adding modern capabilities in weeks, not months.
            • Rapid, No-Code Customization – Business users can design and Zappix can launch workflows, self-service journeys, and outreach campaigns without relying on IT teams or developers.
            • Data-Driven Optimization – Built-in analytics deliver insights into customer behavior, enabling continuous improvement and measurable ROI.
            • Ideal For:

              • Enterprises with high call volumes in industries like healthcare, insurance, utilities, and retail that want to reduce costs and improve customer experience.
              • Organizations burdened by legacy contact center systems but looking to modernize without expensive infrastructure overhauls.
              • Customer service leaders seeking faster resolution times, higher satisfaction scores, and reduced agent workloads through automation and self-service.
              • Businesses with complex customer journeys that benefit from proactive outreach, visual engagement, and integrated workflows.
              • Healthcare providers suffering from high no-shows and late cancellations.
              •  

                Zappix links:

                https://www.zappix.com/
                LinkedIn

                24 min
              • Episode 7: From 45 Days to Real-Time: Transforming Loan Due Diligence with Intelligent Blockchain
                Revolutionizing structured finance through AI and blockchain – Intain

                 

                “We wanted to build something which was similar to a public exchange.” – an ambitious goal that focuses on revolutionizing structured finance through AI and blockchain.

                Join Chris Januszewski, growth partner for software startups, on our startup podcast with Sanjay Nishank, COO of Intain, as we explore:

                Key Highlights:

                • The journey from IT services to fintech entrepreneurship
                • How AI and blockchain are revolutionizing loan due diligence
                • Reducing 45-day processes to real-time operations
                • Managing $8B in loans through innovative technology
                • The future of tokenization in financial markets

                Perfect for:

                • Financial institution leaders
                • Fintech innovators
                • Blockchain enthusiasts
                • Anyone interested in the future of structured finance

                Discover how combining AI with blockchain is transforming traditional financial processes and creating new possibilities for efficiency and transparency.

                Company Overview

                Intain is revolutionizing structured finance by combining intelligent blockchain technology with AI. This has transformed a traditional financial processes for $8B of loans. Their innovative platform dramatically reduces loan due diligence time from 45 days to near real-time operations.

                Through their two flagship products tIntain is reshaping how financial institutions handle loan pooling, securitization and secondary market trading:

                • Intain Admin automates data extraction and validation while creating tamper-proof blockchain records.
                • Intain Markets enables efficient tokenization of assets for secondary liquidity.
                • Founded by financial technology veterans, Intain serves major financial institutions, mid-size issuers and community banks through strategic partnerships. Their mission is to enhance transparency and efficiency in capital market transactions, making structured finance more accessible and secure through the power of blockchain and AI integration.

                  Intain links:

                  intainft.com
                  LinkedIn

                  44 min
                • Episode 6: Legal Innovation and Leadership: Balancing Business Success with Mental Wellness
                  Legal innovation in dispute resolution – New Era ADR

                  “Litigation is a broken process” – a powerful statement that sparked a revolution in dispute resolution through legal innovation.

                  Join Chris, growth partner for startups, on our podcast with Collin Williams, CEO of New Era ADR:

                  Key Highlights:

                  • Transforming dispute resolution with 100-day resolutions
                  • How technology is revolutionizing traditional legal practices
                  • Creating more efficient, empathetic legal processes
                  • Breaking down the stigma around men’s mental health
                  • The crucial link between physical and mental wellness

                  Perfect for:

                  • Legal professionals seeking innovation
                  • Leaders focused on mental wellness
                  • Tech entrepreneurs in traditional industries
                  • Anyone interested in men’s mental health

                  Let’s normalize conversations about men’s mental health as success shouldn’t come at the cost of wellbeing. Discover how leaders like Collin are breaking down barriers and creating new dialogues about mental wellness in business.

                  COMPANY SPOTLIGHT: New Era ADR

                  Legal Innovation:

                  New Era ADR’s legal innovation revolutionizes the way arbitration and dispute resolution is handled. As a result, a seamless, efficient and fair process for all parties involved.

                  The Problem:

                  Litigation takes too long, it too expensive and tends not to be well focused on the parties involved.

                  Their Solution:

                  • Uses an all flat-fee model so that costs are predictable and transparent.
                  • Uses in-house product and development teams that build tech so the litigation process easier and faster.
                  • Has a diverse bench that understands how society works today. This means they can be faster and more nimble with their cases.

                  What Makes Them Different:

                  They are a tech company building platforms and legal innovation solutions that bring litigation into the 21st century.

                  Ideal For:

                  Businesses and individuals who don’t have the time and/or money to devote to prolonged and expensive litigation.

                  New Era ADR links:

                  neweraadr.com
                  LinkedIn

                  42 min
                • Episode 5: Breaking Financial Barriers: Pngme’s Mission to Democratize Banking in Africa
                  Democratizing Banking In Africa – The Pngme Story

                  “Everyone deserves equal access to finance” – a powerful mission driving innovation in emerging markets with the goal of democratizing banking in Africa.

                  Join me on our startup podcast with Rob Hiff, VP of Growth at Pngme , as we explore:

                  Key Highlights:

                  • Democratizing banking & digital finance across Sub-Saharan Africa
                  • How mobile money is revolutionizing financial inclusion
                  • Adapting fintech solutions for emerging markets
                  • Building universal data systems for 3.3 billion underserved people
                  • The unique intersection of running culture and tech in Nairobi

                  Perfect for:

                  • Fintech leaders interested in emerging markets
                  • Financial institutions seeking innovative solutions
                  • Tech professionals curious about global impact
                  • Anyone passionate about financial inclusion

                  Discover how technology is breaking down financial barriers and enabling wealth creation for billions.

                  Pngme: The platform for digital finance

                  Pngme is democratizing banking in Africa through their through unified financial data solutions. As a result they are opening up financial access for 3.3 billion people. Their platform enables one-click data sharing, real-time insights and credit scoring for financial institutions across emerging markets.

                  What Pngme Does:

                  Pngme’s innovative data platform is transforming financial access across emerging markets:
                  • Aggregates financial data from hundreds of institutions across 7 markets including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and India.
                  • Enables one-click data sharing between financial institutions and customers.
                  • Transforms raw financial data into actionable ML-ready insights.
                  • Provides AI-powered credit scoring and risk assessment.
                  • Helps banks and fintechs create innovative financial products for underserved populations.
                  • Empowers individuals to own and leverage their financial data.

                  Their technology is specifically designed to:

                  • Predict and prevent loan defaults more accurately.
                  • Enable frictionless data analysis for financial institutions.
                  • Generate real-time insights for better decision making.
                  • Support customer segmentation and personalized financial products.
                  • Drive financial inclusion across emerging markets.

                  Pngme links:

                  LinkedIn
                  Facebook
                  pngme.com

                  32 min
                • Episode 4: The Future of Personal Style – How AI & Human Expertise are Revolutionizing Fashion Retail
                  Revolutionizing Shopping With AI Fashion Retail – The Wishi Story

                  “Personalization isn’t just a feature – it’s the future of e-commerce” – insights on transforming luxury fashion and retail with AI.

                  Join Chris on our startup podcast with Clea O’Hana, CEO and Co-founder of Wishi, as we explore:

                  Key Highlights:

                  • The journey from finance to revolutionizing fashion tech.
                  • How AI fashion retail is transforming personal styling at scale.
                  • Solving the “paradox of choice” in online retail.
                  • Creating personalized shopping experiences that boost conversion and reduce returns.

                  Perfect for:

                  • E-commerce leaders seeking to enhance customer experience.
                  • Fashion brands looking to optimize inventory.
                  • Tech innovators interested in AI personalization.
                  • Retail professionals navigating digital transformation.

                  See how AI is revolutionizing personal styling and reshaping the future of online retail.

                   

                  Wishi: #1 App for Personalized Luxury Styling

                  Wishi connects you with style experts that will help you shop online to build your perfect wardrobe.


                  Power of Personalization with Wishi

                  At Wishi, we help brands move inventory smarter. Our service matches the right products to the right clientele. This results in faster speed to checkout and reduced returns.  (because when a client gets a stylist’s recommendation, they keep it!) And the best part? It takes less than 5 minutes for a brand to integrate Wishi’s Shopify app.

                  How it works

                  Wishi matches you with a personal stylist that will help you reach your style goals, no matter your budget, size, event, etc. Your session starts off with your stylist sending an inspirational mood board to set the tone. From there, your stylist will send over your shoppable style boards where you can buy what you love!

                  The beauty of Wishi is the ability to be styled from any brand or retailer, at any price point, across the internet. Your stylist can curate pieces from your favorite go-to brands while also introducing you to emerging designers and brands you may not have discovered. This personalized approach ensures your wardrobe feels fresh, unique and perfectly tailored to your style and budget.

                  Wishi links:

                  LinkedIn
                  Instagram
                  Wishi.me

                  17 min

                About Rebellious Times Podcast

                From the publisher's feed

                Hosted by Chris Januszewski, founder of Rebel Commerce Solutions, the Rebellious Times Podcast explores the human side of tech innovation — from bold founders scaling B2B SaaS startups to employees…