In this episode of The CognaCast, host John Kerr sits down with Tomas David Ye, Founder and CEO of Perseuss, to explore a remarkable journey from junior Olympic gymnast to Amazon engineer and now tech entrepreneur.

Tomas shares how he’s using AI and cutting-edge logistics software to bring Amazon-grade technology to companies of all sizes, why timing matters more than ambition in entrepreneurship, and how gamification can transform repetitive work into something motivating and fun.

We also dive into the mindset needed to navigate uncertainty, the lessons learned building a SaaS company, and the surprising ways storytelling, mathematics, and discipline all intersect in his career.

Learn more about Tomas and Perseuss:
Perseuss: https://www.getperseuss.com
Connect with Tomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomas-ye/

Learn more about CognaCore

To discover more episodes and resources, visit:
https://www.cognacore.com/podcast

What happens when two successful professionals leave everything behind to cycle the world? Meet Justin and Sharon Scholz, Ultra Athletes who traded business suits for bike shorts and set off on a multi-year journey around the globe.

In this episode, host John Kerr sits down with Justin and Sharon to explore the moment they decided to step away from their careers and embrace a life of adventure. From their early professional lives to the decision to become endurance athletes, we unpack the mindset, challenges, and joys of traveling the world together on two wheels.

Whether you've dreamed of escaping the rat race or just want a refreshing reminder that life can be lived differently, this conversation is honest, funny, and full of hard-earned wisdom from the road.

Highlights include:

• The shift from structured careers to open-ended adventure

• Adapting as a couple through unfamiliar terrain and tight spaces

• Stories from the road: planning, breakdowns, and beautiful surprises

Follow Justin and Sharon's journey on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustinS007

Listen now and subscribe for more stories at www.cognacore.com/podcast

How do you build a successful creative studio in one of the world’s most competitive markets, especially when starting with no local network and limited language skills?

In this episode, John Kerr and Dr. Samuel Z sit down with Aaron Berkovich, founder of Peking Productions, a China-based creative agency that works with multinational corporations, global brands, and international governments.

Aaron shares his journey of navigating cultural barriers, earning trust, and creating impactful storytelling that helps organizations align their branding and communication strategies.

Key topics include:

• Aaron’s path from arriving in China in 2011 to establishing a thriving studio.
• The importance of guanxi (relationship networks) in building trust with clients and stakeholders.
• The evolving role of storytelling in branding and marketing, and how businesses can harness it effectively.
• The geopolitical complexities of working in China, including regulation, risk assessment, and data concerns.
• How AI and emerging technologies are reshaping media production and creative industries.
• Aaron’s latest project - Codename:Three Culture Kitchen, a show exploring global cuisines and cultural identity.

🔗 Follow Aaron Berkovich:

• LinkedIn
• Peking Productions
• Three Culture Kitchen (Instagram & YouTube)

🎙 Hosts:

• John Kerr – LinkedIn
• Dr. Samuel Z – LinkedIn

Schedule your free consultation with TNT Growth https://tntgrowth.com/cognacore

Join host John Kerr and co-host Dr. Samuel Z as they sit down with Melissa Davis, a Senior Technical Program Manager and Mindset Architect, for an enlightening conversation about the human side of technology.

In this episode, Melissa shares her unconventional journey into the tech world, transitioning from roles in veterinary medicine and construction to leading technical teams in engineering and root cause analysis. She highlights critical, often-overlooked skills in tech, such as storytelling, community-building, and active listening, and explains how these skills drive innovation and solve systemic issues.

Melissa also delves into her pioneering work with AI, including creating custom GPT models for unique applications like training horses and her transformative Positive Inner Voice app. This app helps users convert negative thoughts into words of encouragement, fostering psychological safety and personal growth.

Whether you’re an aspiring technologist, a seasoned professional, or simply curious about the intersection of neuroscience, technology, and personal development, this episode is packed with invaluable insights and inspiration.

🔗 Links from this episode:

In this episode of The Consulting Technology Podcast, hosts John Kerr and Dr. Samuel Z are joined by special guest Trond Nilsen, a multi-disciplinary technologist whose career spans AI, VR, AR, gaming, healthcare, and education. Together, they discuss how emerging technologies are transforming industries and provide actionable insights for consultants, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts.

Key topics include:

🔗 Discover more about The Consulting Technology Podcast at www.cognacore.com/podcast
🔗 Connect with John Kerr on LinkedIn: John Kerr
🔗 Connect with Dr. Samuel Z on LinkedIn: Dr. Samuel Z, PhD
🔗 Connect with Trond Nilsen on LinkedIn: Trond Nilsen
🔗 Explore Trond’s blog: Meme Hazard

Follow, like, and subscribe for more expert insights into consulting, technology, and the future of emerging technologies.

In this episode of The Consulting Technology Podcast, host John Kerr welcomes Ben Milsom, founder of Steady Bow Marketing and best-selling author of Talk More, Type Less.

Ben shares his unique approach to building trust with non-traditional clients, integrating AI into daily workflows, and leveraging a phone-first marketing strategy to drive business growth.

Key topics include:

🔗 Discover more about The Consulting Technology Podcast at www.cognacore.com/podcast
🔗 Connect with John Kerr on LinkedIn: John Kerr
🔗 Connect with Ben Milsom on LinkedIn: Ben Milsom
🔗 Get Ben’s book, Talk More, Type Less: Available on Amazon

Follow, like, and subscribe for more insights into AI, consulting, and tech trends.

In this episode of The Consulting Technology Podcast, host John Kerr and Dr. Samuel Z are joined by Joseph Keller, a seasoned Business Advisor in the healthcare insurance industry. Joseph shares his insights into the potential of AI in healthcare and health insurance, discussing why the industry has been slow to adopt AI, the barriers to entry, and how regulatory and economic factors shape this unique environment.

Topics covered include:

🔗 Discover more about The Consulting Technology Podcast at www.cognacore.com/podcast
🔗 Connect with Dr. Samuel Z on LinkedIn: Dr. Samuel Z, PhD
🔗 Connect with John Kerr on LinkedIn: John Kerr
🔗 Connect with Joseph Keller on LinkedIn: Joseph Keller

Follow, like, and subscribe for more expert discussions on AI, consulting, and technology trends.

In this episode of The Consulting Technology Podcast, host John Kerr is joined by Dr. Samuel Z and Justin Broadbent to welcome Mike O'Shea, a Principal Software Engineer at a leading portfolio and digital financial company. Mike shares his journey from physics and early computing to a versatile career spanning military, aeronautics, and finance. The discussion delves into the integration of AR in industrial applications, the evolving role of AI in financial engineering, and the ethical implications of machine learning. Mike also provides insights into lifelong learning in the rapidly changing tech landscape and presents a thought-provoking scenario on AGI safety.

Connect with our guests:

Additional Resources:

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In this episode of The Consulting Technology Podcast, host John Kerr and Dr. Samuel Z are joined by Dr. Sung Ho Park, professor at the Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon. They explore key challenges and trends in technology adoption and growth within the modern startup ecosystem. Dr. Park shares insights from his research, including the evolving role of generative AI, the significance of accelerators, and the impact of machine learning on venture growth. This episode is packed with valuable insights for entrepreneurs, consultants, and anyone navigating the tech startup world.

🔗 Discover more about Cognacore’s work in AI and digital transformation at www.cognacore.com
🔗 Connect with Dr. Samuel Z on LinkedIn: Dr. Samuel Z, PhD
🔗 Connect with John Kerr on LinkedIn: John Kerr
🔗 Connect with Dr. Sung Ho Park on LinkedIn: Dr. Sung Ho Park

Follow, like, and subscribe for more expert discussions on tech and consulting.

In this episode of The Consulting Technology Podcast, host John Kerr and Dr. Samuel Z are joined by distinguished researcher Christian Quevedo Lezama. They discuss the transformative impact of AI and digital transformation in developing nations. Christian shares insights on how AI is reshaping industries, overcoming infrastructure challenges, and creating unique business opportunities in emerging markets. The conversation also explores lessons developed nations can learn from these initiatives and offers strategies for consultants working in these dynamic environments.

🔗 Discover more about Cognacore’s work in AI and digital transformation at www.cognacore.com
🔗 Connect with Dr. Samuel Z on LinkedIn: Dr. Samuel Z, PhD
🔗 Connect with John Kerr on LinkedIn: John Kerr
🔗 Connect with Christian Quevedo Lezama on LinkedIn: Christian Quevedo

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