Techtastic

In this episode, we talk to JV Hilliard, author of the Warminster series, about the innovative transition of his epic and dark fantasy books into augmented reality and virtual reality video games set to release in 2025. Hilliard shares his insights on the nascent yet rapidly evolving AR/VR industry, the challenges and opportunities it presents for storytelling, and the exciting possibilities for integrating real-world rewards into game achievements. We also discuss the broader implications of AR/VR technologies in various fields beyond gaming, such as healthcare and sports. Join us for a fascinating conversation on the convergence of traditional fantasy literature and cutting-edge gaming technology.

Links mentioned in this episode:

https://dragonmoonpress.com

Amazon, Audible, and other audiobook platforms for purchasing or accessing JV Hilliard's works.

(0:00) Introduction and JV Hilliard's Warminster series adaptation into video games

(1:35) Christian Hammer's background and JV Hilliard's perspective on AR/VR industry

(3:14) Challenges and opportunities in book to game translations

(5:31) Narrative flexibility in video games compared to books

(7:24) Importance of world-building in books and games

(9:10) Transition from Dungeons & Dragons gameplay to authorship

(11:27) Critique of Xbox Connect and Meta Quest

(13:24) Importance of immersion in VR gaming

(15:39) Application of VR technology outside gaming

(16:29) JV Hilliard introduces his books and games

(17:33) Sponsor: Vala AI, the solution to tech challenges.

In this episode, we talk to Leanne Linsky about her innovative platform, Plauzzable, which is reshaping how comedians connect with audiences worldwide. Transitioning from a career in stand-up comedy to tech entrepreneurship, Linsky shares her insights on the parallels between comedy and business, the challenges comedians face in finding and growing their audience, and how her solution, Plauzzable, offers a unique approach to live, interactive comedy experiences online. We explore her journey from identifying a personal need to creating a platform that not only solves her problem but also supports comedians in monetizing their craft and reaching fans directly, all in real-time.

https://plauzzable.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanne-linsky/

(0:00) Introduction and welcome

(1:07) Characteristics and overlap of comedians and entrepreneurs

(3:34) Creation and development of Plauzzable

(7:12) Empowering comedians with Plauzzable

(10:55) Role of Plauzzable as a discovery platform

(12:14) Streaming services and ticketing on Plauzzable

(13:26) Functionality and customization of the Plauzzable platform

(14:34) Intersection of comedy and entrepreneurship and future of Plauzzable

(15:24) Closing remarks from Leanne Linsky and Christian Hammer

(16:23) Sponsor: Vala AI

In this episode, we talk with Kerry L. Bass, a visionary in the field of organizational change and technological ethics, about how companies can leverage technology like AI not just for profit, but to genuinely contribute to societal good. Bass discusses the importance of purpose-driven business practices, the human element in technology deployment, and the potential for AI to both exacerbate and mitigate societal inequities.

Links mentioned in this episode:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrylbass/

Email contact for Kerry L. Bass: [email protected]

(0:00) Introduction to the episode and guest

(1:05) The role and impact of AI in businesses and society

(3:36) Security in the digital age: The problem with passwords and the rise of AI identification

(6:20) Blockchain technology and its potential uses

(8:49) Transition to an ownership-based economy and its implications

(10:47) The environmental and economic impact of fossil fuels

(13:49) Risks and opportunities in deploying new technology systems

(16:30) Addressing societal biases through AI: Dr. Joy Buolamwini's story

(19:19) Connecting with guest Kerry L. Bass

(20:03) Sponsor: Vala AI

In this episode, we sit down with Brittany Greenfield, a seasoned entrepreneur in the software supply chain security vulnerability space. The discussion explores the evolving landscape of application security, highlighting its transition from a narrow focus to a broad, integral aspect of all security measures. Greenfield shares insights into the challenges and misconceptions surrounding DevSecOps, the crucial role of bridging the communication gap between security and development teams, and the importance of embracing software imperfections as a step towards better security practices.

Links mentioned in this episode:

(0:00) Introduction and welcome to Brittany Greenfield

(1:36) Misconceptions in the shift left approach in AppSec

(3:32) The concept of Wabbi and application in security

(6:21) Automating code writing for security patches

(9:27) Prioritization in fixing vulnerabilities

(12:11) Complexity of the tech space and its impact on non-tech people

(14:37) The iceberg problem: Enforcing development and security regulations

(16:15) Balancing short term and long term risks in tech security

(17:34) Bridging the gap between security and development

(18:33) Sponsor: Vala AI, the solution to tech challenges.

In this episode, we talk to Brandon Davis, a young entrepreneur making waves in the tech industry with his company, Interval. Interval aims to bridge the gap between human interaction and artificial intelligence by providing small businesses with a virtual AI receptionist. Davis shares insights into the motivations behind starting young in the business world, the trade-offs of beginning entrepreneurship at different stages of life, and the crucial role of a supportive network. Through a mix of personal anecdotes and business acumen, this conversation uncovers the layers of entrepreneurship beyond the technology itself, focusing on the human experiences that drive innovation and success.

Links mentioned in this episode:

(0:00) Introduction and welcoming guest Brandon Davis

(0:21) Christian's early career and Brandon's perspective on entrepreneurship

(2:15) Christian's journey from entrepreneurship and the role of timing in business

(4:03) Balancing family and business, early inspirations

(9:14) Introduction to "Interval", Brandon's first tech startup

(11:19) Introduction to Interroll: A virtual AI receptionist for small businesses

(13:46) Future plans for Interroll and its potential during economic recessions

(15:48) Business model of Interroll and its potential for growth

(17:33) The necessity of Interroll for small businesses and its affordability

(19:34) Concluding thoughts on the importance of AI in enhancing business efficiency

(20:34) Sponsor: Discover Vala AI, the solution to tech challenges

In this episode, we sit down with Jake Tullis to discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology, particularly focusing on their impact on identity verification and the potential collapse of fiat currency systems. Jake shares his insights on the vulnerabilities of current economic and social structures, the importance of zero-knowledge proofs for maintaining privacy in digital interactions, and the potential for blockchain to revolutionize how we establish trust and conduct transactions. Jake's perspective offers a compelling look at the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as we navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing technological landscape.

Links mentioned in this episode:

https://tr.ee/1rgvbj_xWj

(0:00) Introduction and discussion on the future of work and AI

(0:54) Exploration of AI at the edge and the role of crypto

(2:56) Discussion on risks associated with advancements in AI and technology

(4:21) Understanding trust rings in technology

(6:00) The potential fall of fiat currencies and societal implications

(8:01) Impacts of climate instability on society and agriculture

(10:57) The rise of grocery prices due to supply chain collapse

(12:26) Future of digitized currencies and the de-dollarization process

(13:13) Human tribal nature in a technologically advanced society

(14:38) Sponsor: volaai

In this episode, we talk to Blake Burch, a software engineer with a keen focus on the often overlooked but crucial field of data engineering. Throughout the conversation, we explore the challenges and solutions in making data manipulation and infrastructure setup more accessible and secure for teams. Burch shares insights on the evolution of data tooling, the importance of data observability, and strategies for building trust within organizations through effective data management. We delve into the pivotal role of domain knowledge in data teams and discuss Shipyard's approach to simplifying data workflows for businesses.

Links mentioned in this episode:

All Hands on Data Newsletter: https://allhandsondata.substack.com/

(0:00) Introduction and guest Blake Burch

(1:12) Evolution of data tools and infrastructure

(4:00) Tech debt and its impact on infrastructure

(6:26) Complexities of data transformations and strategies for marketing data solutions

(10:02) Data mistrust and focusing on actionable data

(13:42) The need for domain knowledge in data handling

(14:52) Bridging domain and data knowledge: Role of product managers

(15:24) Shadowing and innovative problem-solving approaches at Nike

(18:50) Closing remarks and introduction to Shipyard

(19:25) Sponsor: Vala AI, the tech debt hero

In this episode, we talk to Atiba de Souza, the founder of Client Attraction Pros, a video marketing agency that specializes in helping doctors transition from insurance to cash-based practices. He shares insights on the evolving landscape of search and discovery, highlighting the significant role of AI and predicting Google's dominance in the space. Atiba also underscores the value of authenticity in content creation, advising creators to focus on impact over metrics.

Links mentioned in this episode:

(0:00) Introduction and welcome to guest Atiba de Souza

(2:01) Atiba de Souza discusses his company, Client Attraction Pros, and changes in the digital landscape

(3:07) The rise of AI and its implications on content creation

(6:21) The future of video actors, deepfakes and the potential of AI

(10:15) Discussing the positive and negative actors in AI and the importance of sharing good deeds

(11:59) The challenges and importance of authenticity in content creation

(14:10) Measuring success in content creation and targeting the right audience

(15:33) How to connect with Atiba de Souza and wrapping up the episode

(16:28) Sponsor: Volaai

In this episode, we talk to Sean Languedoc, a seasoned entrepreneur with 25 years in the tech industry and five startups under his belt. Sean shares his journey from being self-employed by necessity to pioneering innovative solutions in outsourcing with his company, outforce.ai. The discussion covers the challenges of tech debt, the intricacies of building and managing remote teams, and how to navigate the vast landscape of outsourcing agencies to find the perfect match for tech projects. Sean's insights into balancing cost, quality, and speed in outsourcing decisions provide valuable lessons for tech leaders and startups looking to scale efficiently and effectively.

Links mentioned in this episode:

(0:00) Introduction to Techtastic and guest Sean Languedoc

(1:59) Tech debt and outsourcing discussion

(4:08) Outsourcing compared to childcare

(7:10) The three aspects of outsourcing - speed, quality, and cost

(11:20) Flipping the traditional method of outsourcing

(11:51) The McKinsey effect in outsourcing

(13:46) Banking technology issues

(14:16) Market fit research before building an engineering team

(15:04) Closing remarks and introduction to next episode

(15:25) Sponsor: Introduction to Vola AI

(15:45) Sponsor: How Vola AI can solve tech troubles and reduce tech debt

In this episode, we talk to Samuel Drauschak, a visionary in the field of business process improvement. His company is at the forefront of developing innovative tools designed to enhance efficiency and reduce costs across various industries. By lowering the learning curve, Drauschak aims to make process improvement accessible to companies of any size. We dive into the challenges businesses face with the digitization of processes and the importance of having the right tools to capture and analyze process data. Drauschak also shares insights from his book "Becoming a Conscious Business," discussing the evolution of businesses into self-aware entities and the significance of becoming more conscious in our connectivity and creativity.

Links mentioned in this episode:

(0:00) Introduction to Techtastic and guest, Samuel Drauschak

(0:42) Overview of Samuel's company and business process improvement

(2:14) Key Performance Indicators and entry points for process improvement

(3:21) Target audience, challenges, and the role of existing tools in process improvement

(5:51) Complexity, research, and the need for a consistent viewpoint in process improvement

(7:47) Investigation and understanding of unique business processes

(9:38) Standardization and description of processes in process improvement

(10:16) The role of software in process automation and the recent prioritization of process improvement

(11:44) The increasing need for process mapping expertise and the shift to digitization

(12:23) Christian Hammer and Samuel Drauschak's discussion on his book, "Becoming a Conscious Business"

(17:39) Sponsor: Valaai, your tech debt hero