“AI is a gigantic multiplier.” - Boris Sofman, Co-Founder and CEO of Bedrock Robotics

In this episode of Tech Scenes, Jeff Martin sits down with Boris Sofman, Co-Founder and CEO of Bedrock Robotics, to explore how AI and robotics are transforming the physical world — starting with heavy machinery and construction.

Boris brings rare, deep experience across consumer robotics, autonomous vehicles, and now autonomous construction. Prior to Bedrock, he spent five years as an engineering executive at Waymo, helping scale autonomous trucking and the Waymo One robo-taxi network, which has logged over 100 million fully driverless miles. Before that, Boris spent a decade building Anki, shipping millions of robots globally and scaling the business to over $100M in annual revenue.

The conversation dives into the real challenges of physical AI, why edge intelligence matters more than ever, and how Bedrock’s vision of a “digital operator” for heavy machinery could unlock massive gains in productivity, safety, and predictability across construction and infrastructure.

They also explore team dynamics in advanced AI development, lessons from deploying autonomy in the real world, and how AI is reshaping creativity, work, and entire industries.

Chapters

00:00 The Role of AI in Productivity

02:22 Automation in Heavy Machinery

05:06 Insights from Waymo and Autonomous Driving

07:48 Challenges in Physical AI vs Digital AI

10:36 The Future of Edge AI and Robotics

13:19 The Evolution of Humanoid Robots

16:03 Managing AI Development and Team Dynamics

18:50 The Vision Behind Bedrock’s Digital Operator

21:51 Unlocking Construction Efficiency

24:38 The Shift in Team Collaboration and Structure

27:17 The Future of Work and AI’s Impact

29:50 The Democratization of Creativity

32:50 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections

Watch now to understand why autonomous construction isn’t just a breakthrough — it’s an economic necessity — and how AI is becoming the ultimate force multiplier for the physical world.

📘 Learn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-Backed Companies

👉 https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

🌐 Visit Collective Genius™ to build your growth team with the Peak Operating System™

👉 https://www.collective-genius.com/

⏱️ Got 5 minutes? Take the Peak Teams Assessment to see where your team can level up

👉 https://www.collective-genius.com/peak-teams-assessment

#TechScenes #AI #Robotics #Automation #ConstructionTech #FutureOfWork #Productivity #Waymo #BedrockRobotics #Leadership #PeakTeams

"We want to create more capitalists."

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff Martin sits down with Seth Levine, Partner at Foundry and co-author of The New Builders and Capital Evolution. Seth has spent his career at the intersection of venture capital, entrepreneurship, and social impact — backing companies, funds, and ideas that aim to redefine capitalism for the modern era.

The conversation explores the intersection of technology, capitalism, and the future of work. Seth shares insights from his latest book, Capital Evolution, examining how AI, innovation, and ownership models can drive a more inclusive and dynamic form of capitalism — one that rebuilds the middle class, empowers employees, and strengthens community.

They also discuss lessons from interviews with CEOs, the need for collaboration between business and government, and why offsite meetings remain one of the most powerful tools for strategic alignment and leadership connection.

Chapters

00:00 Techno-Optimism and the Future of Work

01:38 Exploring the Future of Capitalism

08:23 Insights from CEO Interviews

11:43 Rebuilding the Middle Class

19:45 The Impact of AI on Employment

24:30 Collaboration Between Business and Government

26:55 Concrete Actions for CEOs

48:13 The Importance of Offsites and Team Alignment

53:51 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations

Watch now to explore how Seth and the next generation of leaders are evolving capitalism — and why optimism, ownership, and collaboration are key to shaping a better future of work.

📘 Learn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-Backed Companies 👉 https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

🌐 Visit Collective Genius™ to build your growth team with the Peak Operating System™ 👉 https://www.collective-genius.com/

Music by: andrewapplepie.bandcamp.com

⏱️ Got 5 minutes? Take the Peak Teams Assessment to see where your team can level up 👉 https://www.collective-genius.com/peak-teams-assessment

#TechScenes #SethLevine #CapitalEvolution #Foundry #AI #FutureOfWork #Entrepreneurship #Capitalism #Leadership #EmployeeOwnership #PeakTeams

"You have to hire for judgment." - Chris Andrew

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff Martin sits down with Chris Andrew, CEO and co-founder of Scrunch — the platform helping brands navigate the AI-first customer journey. Scrunch enables companies to monitor their brand presence, gain actionable insights, and generate AI-friendly versions of their sites to influence LLM results.

The conversation dives deep into the transformative impact of AI on customer engagement and marketing, exploring how buyer journeys are becoming increasingly AI-driven. Chris shares lessons on building adaptable teams, optimizing content for AI search, and making fast, thoughtful decisions in an environment defined by constant change.

They also discuss leadership, empathy, and how the future of commerce will shift toward personalized, chat-based experiences — redefining how brands connect with customers in an AI-powered world.

Chapters

00:00 The AI Revolution in Customer Engagement

02:23 Building an AI-First Buyer Journey

05:18 The Role of Content in AI Search

07:56 Leadership and Team Dynamics in Startups

11:14 Hiring for Growth and Adaptability

13:39 Navigating Change in a Fast-Paced Environment

16:55 The Future of Commerce and Consumer Behavior

19:33 Personal Insights and Reflections

22:27 The Journey of Building Scrunch

25:30 Patience in Product Development

28:41 Decision-Making in a Rapidly Changing Landscape

31:18 Cultural Reflections and Personal Favorites

Watch now to explore how Chris and Scrunch are helping brands stay visible, adaptive, and authentic in the era of AI-driven commerce.

📘 Learn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-Backed Companies 👉 https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

🌐 Visit Collective Genius™ to build your growth team with the Peak Operating System™ 👉 https://www.collective-genius.com/

⏱️ Got 5 minutes? Take the Peak Teams Assessment to see where your team can level up 👉 https://www.collective-genius.com/peak-teams-assessment

Music by: andrewapplepie.bandcamp.com

#AI #Scrunch #TechScenes #CustomerJourney #Marketing #Startups #Leadership #Commerce #ContentOptimization #PeakTeams

"You’re using AI to build an AI product." - Jason Eubank

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff Martin sits down with Jason Eubanks, CEO and co-founder of Aurasell, the world’s first AI-native CRM built to replace Salesforce, HubSpot, and the bloated ecosystems holding teams back.

A multi-time CRO and go-to-market leader, Jason shares how years of building high-performance revenue teams inspired him to reimagine the CRM from first principles — not as another SaaS layer, but as an intelligent platform designed for how modern GTM teams actually work.

The conversation explores the future of AI in product development, how Aurasell is collapsing 15+ tools into one unified system, and why AI-native architecture is transforming how teams build, sell, and scale. Jason also discusses how his engineers and PMs use AI to accelerate innovation — from no-code AI agents to fully autonomous workflows — and what it means to unleash human potential through intelligent systems.

Chapters
00:00 The Acceleration of AI in Business
00:38 Building an AI-Native Architecture
00:44 The Fast-Paced AI Race

Watch now to hear how Aurasell is leading a new era of product development — where AI builds AI, and teams focus on what truly moves the needle.

📘 Learn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-Backed Companies > https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

🌐 Visit Collective Genius™ to build your growth team with the Peak Operating System™ > https://www.collective-genius.com/

⏱️ Got 5 minutes? Take the Peak Teams Assessment to see where your team can level up > https://www.collective-genius.com/peak-teams-assessment

Music by: andrewapplepie.bandcamp.com

#AI #Aurasell #TechScenes #ProductDevelopment #Innovation #Engineering #CRM #Startups #Leadership #PeakTeams

"You want to do well by doing good." - Austin GadientIn this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff Martin sits down with Anthony and Austin Gadient, the father-and-son founders of Vali Cyber — the company behind ZeroLock, the first Linux security platform to protect hypervisors against ransomware in real time.With deep experience spanning startups, software engineering, and military service, the Gadients share how they’ve built a company focused on protecting one of the most overlooked layers in cybersecurity — the hypervisor. They unpack the realities of fighting ransomware, the discipline behind risk management, and the lessons of building a business together as family.The conversation dives into the importance of communication, patience, and data-driven decision-making in scaling a sustainable company — and how Vali Cyber’s approach is transforming enterprise and defense-grade security for the Linux ecosystem.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Vali Cyber01:55 Understanding Hypervisors and Their Importance03:48 Market Focus and Competition in Cybersecurity05:44 Founding Story: Family Dynamics and Entrepreneurship07:42 The Impact of Ransomware on Society09:38 Building a Sustainable Business11:16 Organizational Structure and Military Influence15:23 Communication and Team Dynamics in Startups20:37 The Importance of Managing Risk23:25 Lessons in Patience and Persistence26:22 The Learning Loop in Growth Companies28:41 The Role of Data in Decision Making30:29 Teaching Entrepreneurship: Key Insights34:39 Future Product Developments and PatienceWatch now to hear how Anthony and Austin are redefining Linux and hypervisor protection — and what it takes to scale a mission-driven cybersecurity company from the ground up.📘 Learn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-Backed Companies👉 https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu🌐 Visit Collective Genius™ to build your growth team with the Peak Operating System™👉 https://www.collective-genius.com/⏱️ Got 5 minutes? Take the Peak Teams Assessment to see where your team can level up👉 https://www.collective-genius.com/peak-teams-assessment#Cybersecurity #ValiCyber #ZeroLock #TechScenes #Startups #LinuxSecurity #Entrepreneurship #RansomwareProtection #Leadership #PeakTeams

"You can’t be what you can’t see." - Joey Mak

In this episode of Tech Scenes, Jeff Martin sits down with Joey Mak, CEO of Chicago:Blend, a nonprofit driving inclusion and equity in venture capital. With over two decades in community and economic development, Joey shares how Chicago:Blend is breaking systemic barriers and opening doors for underrepresented investors and founders across the tech ecosystem.

The conversation explores the realities of DEI in a polarized world, the power of representation, and how initiatives like the Chicago Blend Venture Fellowship are creating lasting pathways into venture capital. Joey also reflects on lessons from leading through complexity — from building coalitions to finding gratitude amid challenge.

Chapters:

00:00 The DEI Landscape and Its Challenges

00:49 Introduction to Chicago Blend

02:15 The Mission and Impact of Chicago Blend

04:30 Personal Journey and Motivation

06:32 Breaking Barriers in Venture Capital

09:44 The Chicago Blend Venture Fellowship

11:18 Recruitment and Selection of Fellows

13:16 Addressing Diversity in Venture Capital

14:57 Collaborative Efforts for Inclusion

16:49 Chicago's Tech Ecosystem and Its Potential

17:50 Data Insights on Diversity in VC

20:49 Capital Flow and Investment Trends

22:51 The Importance of DEI in Business

24:13 Humanity in DEI Practices

29:51 Building a Thriving Ecosystem

33:22 Staying Motivated in Challenging Times

36:01 Lessons Learned and Mistakes Made

38:23 A Fun Desert Island Scenario

Watch now to explore how Joey and Chicago:Blend are helping reshape the future of venture capital — one inclusive connection at a time.

Learn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies

https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius™ to Build Your Growth Team with the Peak Operating System™

https://www.collective-genius.com/

Got 5 minutes? Take the Peak Teams Assessment to see where your team needs to level up

https://www.collective-genius.com/peak-teams-assessment

Music by Andrew Applepie – https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#DEI #VentureCapital #ChicagoBlend #TechScenes #Inclusion #EconomicDevelopment #Leadership #PeakTeams

"The why is everything—great storytelling starts with what’s at stake."

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff Martin sits down with Dmitry Koltunov, a repeat founder and award-winning storyteller, to explore the intersection of AI, creativity, and business strategy.

As CEO of Arbor, Dmitry is building a platform that helps organizations scale authentic storytelling by transforming long-form videos into clips, quotes, blog posts, and more. But this conversation goes beyond software. Dmitry shares deep insights on what makes communication resonate—from startup pitches to musical theater, from product development to customer conversations.

They dive into the power of narrative, the chaos of early-stage startups, and how product teams can listen, learn, and iterate. With a background that spans hedge funds, Broadway musicals, and VC-backed tech, Dmitry offers a unique lens on how to build tools that matter—and stories that move people.

Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Arbor and AI Content Creation02:55 The Shift Towards Authenticity in Business Communication05:41 Understanding Target Audiences and Goals in Content Creation08:40 The Intersection of Technology and Storytelling10:59 The Role of Narrative in Business and Personal Projects13:56 The Importance of Stakes in Storytelling16:48 Building a Narrative in Business Strategy27:03 The Stakes of Vision and Innovation28:02 Defining the Right Thing to Do29:49 The Process of Discovery and Learning32:21 The Chaos of Startups and Systematization33:41 The Importance of Listening to Customers36:44 Aligning Why with Customer Needs39:06 The Role of Customer Success in Product Development41:44 The Dangers of Stubbornness in Product Management47:05 The Art of Listening in Product Development49:50 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections

Learn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companieshttps://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius™ to Build Your Growth Team with the Peak Operating System™

https://www.collective-genius.com/

Got 5 minutes? Take the Peak Teams Assessment to see where your team needs to level up

https://www.collective-genius.com/peak-teams-assessment

Music by Andrew Applepie – https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#ArborAI #DmitryKoltunov #TechScenes #StorytellingInTech #AuthenticCommunication #AIContentCreation #ProductLeadership #StartupLife #NarrativeBuilding #FounderJourney #ContentStrategy #B2BMarketing #TechStorytelling #CustomerSuccess #StartupLeadership #PeakOperatingSystem #JeffMartin #BroadwayFounder #CreativeTech #FounderToFounder

"A startup is total ambiguity—you need to build many feedback loops."

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff Martin sits down with Michele Sancricca, CEO and co-founder of Secro, to explore the future of cross-border trade, digital trust, and deterministic AI.

From the Italian Navy to leading global supply chain technology at Amazon, Michele brings a rare blend of technical depth, operational leadership, and product vision. Now at the helm of Secro—with $20M raised and real traction in commodity trade logistics—he’s tackling one of the biggest pain points in global trade: outdated, fraud-prone documentation.

They dive into why real-time, encrypted digital bills of lading are not just a technical innovation but a trust revolution. Michele also shares lessons from building teams across continents, navigating startup chaos, manifesting long-term vision, and building the infrastructure for a more transparent, intelligent global economy.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Secro and Workflow Automation

02:45 Understanding Fraud in International Trade

05:34 Michele's Journey: From Navy to Tech

08:12 Navigating Startup Challenges

11:03 Building Effective Teams Across Borders

14:00 Bridging Generational Gaps in the Workplace

20:03 The Challenge of Letting Go

25:33 Navigating Innovation in Conservative Industries

28:39 Defining Deterministic Platforms

30:03 Product Roadmap and Customer Needs

33:29 Lessons from Leadership Experiences

37:54 The Power of Written Vision

41:57 Building a Cohesive Company Culture

Learn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies

https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius™ to Build Your Growth Team with the Peak Operating System™

https://www.collective-genius.com/

Got 5 minutes? Take the Peak Teams Assessment to see where your team needs to level up

https://www.collective-genius.com/peak-teams-assessment

Music by Andrew Applepie – https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#Secro #MicheleSancricca #TechScenes #DigitalTrade #CrossBorderLogistics #AIinSupplyChain #StartupLeadership #VentureBacked #Blockchain #WorkflowAutomation #GlobalTrade #FraudPrevention #B2BPlatforms #DeterministicAI #SupplyChainTech #EnterpriseAI #PeakOperatingSystem #JeffMartin #LeadershipLessons #ManifestationInBusiness

"The future is not just quantum—it's quantum-inspired."

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff Martin sits down with Abhishek Chopra, founder and CEO of BosonQ Psi (BQP), to explore how quantum-inspired modeling is revolutionizing simulation in aerospace, space, and defense.

Abi’s story is anything but ordinary. From high-fidelity CFD research and award-winning academic work to raising millions in venture and government funding, he’s built BQP into a company that’s reshaping how we model the physical world. Their flagship platform, BQPhy®, uses quantum-inspired algorithms to accelerate simulations 10x faster than existing tools—saving time, reducing costs, and opening the door to radically new engineering capabilities.

They dive into what it takes to turn cutting-edge science into scalable software, why the future of quantum computing is as much about math as it is about hardware, and how a customer-first mindset is essential for building trust in complex technical markets. If you're into deep tech, scientific entrepreneurship, or the future of modeling and simulation—this episode will inspire and inform.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to BQP and Quantum Computing

02:41 Understanding Modeling and Simulation

05:39 The Evolution of Computational Methods

08:07 The Opportunity in Quantum-Inspired Solutions

10:47 Real-World Impact: Case Studies in Aerospace

13:34 The Entrepreneurial Journey of Abi Chopra

16:28 Leadership Lessons and Business Insights

21:48 Building a Strong Foundation for Success

22:49 Lessons from Challenges and Failures

25:48 The Importance of Customer-Centricity

27:38 Effective Communication in Leadership

30:10 The Evolution of Business Education

35:44 Future Innovations in Aerospace

Learn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies

https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius™ to Build Your Growth Team with the Peak Operating System™

https://www.collective-genius.com/

Got 5 minutes? Take the Peak Teams Assessment to see where your team needs to level up

https://www.collective-genius.com/peak-teams-assessment

#QuantumComputing #Simulation #AerospaceInnovation #Modeling #DeepTech #BQP #BosonQPsi #BQPhy #AbhishekChopra #QuantumInspired #StartupLeadership #Entrepreneurship #TechScenes #JeffMartin #FutureOfEngineering #DefenseTech #AI #ScientificSoftware #SimulationSoftware #VentureBackedCompanies

"If we can succeed in ICUs, we've succeeded."

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Ophir Ronen, CEO and co-founder of CalmWave, joins Jeff Martin to explore one of healthcare’s most overlooked challenges: alarm fatigue. Drawing from his background in enterprise IT and two prior exits, Ophir shares how he’s bringing product discipline, system thinking, and Transparent AI into the noisy world of critical care.

The conversation dives into the real chaos inside ICU environments—where one patient can trigger over 1,600 alarms per day—and how CalmWave is transforming that noise into signal. Ophir explains how CalmWave’s patented platform integrates high-frequency vitals and EHR data to surface actionable insights, streamline hospital operations, and reduce clinician burnout. From team building to strategic execution, this is a deep look into what it takes to bring mission-critical software into one of the most demanding industries in the world.

Whether you're in healthtech, building AI-powered platforms, or just curious about how systems thinking can change outcomes, this episode is packed with practical insights and hard-won lessons.

Chapters00:00 Understanding Alarm Fatigue in Healthcare02:01 CalmWave: Revolutionizing Alarm Management04:54 The Journey from IT to Healthcare07:32 Data Integration and Real-Time Analysis10:19 The Role of CalmWave in ICU Settings12:51 Future of Alarm Management and Patient Care15:38 Strategic Growth and Market Entry20:55 From Vision to Execution24:35 Building the Right Team DNA27:33 Establishing Effective Communication Cadences30:10 Navigating Decision-Making Challenges32:25 Balancing Speed and Reflection36:25 Personal Stories and Insights

Learn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companieshttps://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius™ to Build Your Growth Team with the Peak Operating System™

https://www.collective-genius.com/

Got 5 minutes? Take the Peak Teams Assessment to see where your team needs to level up

https://www.collective-genius.com/peak-teams-assessment

Music by Andrew Applepie – https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#CalmWave #HealthTech #AlarmFatigue #ICU #TransparentAI #HealthcareInnovation #MissionCriticalSoftware #DataIntegration #StartupLeadership #TechScenes #JeffMartin #OphirRonen #TeamBuilding #AI #Execution #VentureBackedCompanies