If your airplane had a 10% chance of crashing, would you stay on board? Leadership professor and systems thinker Charlie Sheppard uses this chilling analogy to reframe the climate crisis as the ultimate systems failure—a problem we can no longer afford to sit on the fence about.

With a multifaceted background spanning biotech, computer science, and Fortune 500 consulting, Charlie Sheppard brings a unique lens to the world's most complex challenges. He argues that we often fail to see the interlocking nature of the climate crisis—from melting ice and warming oceans to man-made "unnatural disasters." In this episode, he breaks down how to apply systems thinking to understand the accelerating feedback loops we face and outlines a clear, courageous path from awareness to meaningful action.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

· The powerful airplane analogy that reframes the stakes of the climate crisis.

· Why climate change should be viewed as a massive "systems failure," not isolated incidents.

· The critical role of phytoplankton in the ocean and why their decline is an existential threat.

· Why the atmosphere is not a "free sewer" and how a simple carbon fee could foster massive innovation.

· A practical 3-minute daily exercise anyone can do to unlock their innovative potential.

This is an essential conversation for engineers, leaders, and citizens who feel overwhelmed by global complexity and are searching for a framework to make a real difference.

Connect With Charlie Sheppard:

· Book (Get Off The Fence - $0.99 Kindle): https://a.co/d/dRalmHP

· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliesheppard/

· Corporate Website: https://sheppardpartners.com/

· University Website: https://worldbridgeu.com/

Chapters:

00:00 The 10% Chance This Plane Will Crash

00:46 Welcome Charlie Sheppard

01:54 The Common Thread: Systems Thinking in Biotech, Leadership & Climate

05:39 The Climate Crisis as the Ultimate System Failure

10:31 How Technical Professionals Can Drive Climate Solutions

16:10 The Vision Behind the Book "Get Off The Fence"

20:45 The Spaceship Earth Analogy: A Call to Action

25:16 Using Behavioral Science to Bridge Awareness and Action

28:10 The Most Underutilized Tool for Driving Climate Action

30:51 The Leadership Behavior with the Biggest Ripple Effect

33:35 What Gives Hope for Our Future?

35:23 What is Innovation? A Practical Guide

39:47 Where to Find "Get Off The Fence" and Learn More

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Is your business stuck in a cycle of chaos and constant firefighting? Stewart Ervin, a fractional CFO and business turnaround expert, shares his "Built to Run" playbook that has helped companies achieve an average 36.7% revenue increase by fixing the one thing most leaders miss.

With over 25 years in finance and manufacturing, Stewart Ervin has seen it all. He reveals why the ultimate bottleneck in almost every struggling business is the leader themselves and why a business is like a chain—one broken link can cause a massive ripple effect. In this episode, he details his journey from a failed first business to creating a proven system that turns chaotic operations into well-oiled machines, using his powerful "operator" mindset to drive real results.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

· The #1 bottleneck that keeps companies from scaling (and it's not what you think).

· The three sole sources of value creation: pricing, cost control, and new growth.

· The shocking turnaround story of an $80M aerospace company crippled by one simple reporting error.

· The difference between a "Reporter" CFO and an "Operator" CFO (and which one your business needs).

· Actionable advice for founders on the verge of burnout on how fractional executives can provide a critical "jolt of energy".

This episode is a must-listen for founders, engineers, and business leaders who are tired of theory and ready for an execution-first system that delivers measurable growth.

Connect With Stewart Ervin:

· Website: https://www.bracketmgmt.com/

· Business Assessment: https://www.bracketmgmt.com/assessment

· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewartervin/

Chapters:

00:00 A Failed Business is a Blessing in Disguise

00:30 Welcome Stewart Ervin, Creator of the $100M System

01:32 The Pivotal Moment That Led to the "Built to Run" Playbook

03:29 The Most Common Bottleneck Preventing Companies From Scaling

05:25 Designing a Business System That Scales Beyond Spreadsheets

06:42 The Only 3 Places Value Creation Comes From

08:30 The First Thing to Analyze in a Business Turnaround

11:15 What "Operational Rhythm" Means in Practice

13:26 Turnaround Story: How a Simple Report Wrecked an $80M Company

16:46 The First Play for a Technical Founder Who Struggles with Business

18:23 Operator's Mindset vs. Traditional CFO: The Key Difference

19:44 The Role of Leadership and Strategic Alignment

22:09 The Most Counterintuitive Lesson from a Failed Business

23:33 Advice for a Founder Overwhelmed by Chaos

24:56 What Innovation Means in Business Operations

26:16 Where to Get Your Personalized Business Assessment

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If you spend over five hours on screens daily, there's a 99% chance you have digital eye strain. Dr. Roger Wu, a board-certified optometrist, explains the science behind this modern epidemic and reveals the innovative, drinkable solution he invented to protect our vision.

After 25 years of clinical practice, Dr. Wu saw an explosion of screen-related eye issues—from dry eyes in 9-year-olds to early macular changes in young adults. Realizing traditional advice wasn't enough, he developed The Eye Drink, a science-backed beverage that delivers clinically proven AREDS2 nutrients and triglyceride-form Omega-3s in a highly absorbable format. Learn how this "Gatorade for the eyes" is revolutionizing preventive vision care for our screen-heavy world.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

· The shocking statistic: Why up to 99% of heavy screen users suffer from digital eye strain.

· The science of Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD) and how it acts as your eye's internal "sunscreen".

· The challenging journey of formulating a drink with sensitive nutrients like Omega-3s and making it taste great (not like "gasoline").

· Why a liquid delivery system offers superior bioavailability compared to traditional pills or capsules.

· The incredible results from a day-trader who drank The Eye Drink and saw a "huge spike" in his macular health.

This episode is essential for programmers, developers, students, and anyone whose life and work depend on screens.

Connect With Dr. Roger Wu:

· Website: https://theeyedrink.com

· Free Whitepaper ("The Ultimate Guide to Eye Health"): https://theeyedrink.com/free-whitepaper/

· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-roger-wu-321a3710/

Chapters:

00:00 The Shocking Stats on Digital Eye Strain

00:55 Welcome Dr. Roger Wu, Inventor of The Eye Drink

02:03 The Clinical Shift: From Rare Dry Eye to a Modern Epidemic

06:33 The Science: How The Eye Drink Protects Against Blue Light

11:02 The R\&D Journey: From Clinical Insight to a Drinkable Product

14:47 Biggest Technical Challenge: Making Sensitive Nutrients Shelf-Stable

16:30 Why The Eye Drink is a "Trade Secret," Not Patented

18:58 Balancing Clinical Efficacy with Consumer Taste

21:13 Why Liquid is More Effective Than Pills for Eye Nutrients

25:15 One Habit to Adopt for 8+ Hours of Daily Screen Time

28:55 The Most Rewarding Moment: From Clinician to Inventor

31:00 What Innovation Means in Healthcare & Wellness

33:44 Where to Get The Eye Drink

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What if Earth is just a petri dish for consciousness? Mark L. Christensen, creator of the provocative Fungus Theory, challenges everything you thought you knew about humanity's origins and its cosmic future. Discover why our ultimate purpose is to escape our dying planet as its "spore of consciousness."

Blending cosmology, biology, and visionary philosophy, storyteller and filmmaker Mark L. Christensen unveils his radical Fungus Theory of Conscious Growth. This theory posits that all life on Earth began with fungus and that humanity is its evolved spore, tasked with spreading consciousness across the cosmos before our sun's inevitable demise. Prepare to rethink evolution, technology, and your place in the universe as Mark explains how an enforced timeline drives our technological progress towards "technical evacuation standards."

In this episode, you’ll discover:

· The core idea behind the "Fungus Theory": Earth as a consciousness-growing petri dish

· How humanity is destined to become the "spore" that evacuates Earth

· Why technology is a "fungal developed element" essential for survival

· The urgent timeline: how planetary limits and death aren't flaws, but drivers of progress

· Mark's mind-bending concept of "Unigalactic Conscious Harvest"

For engineers, innovators, and curious minds ready to explore the most profound questions about our existence and cosmic destiny.

Connect With Mark L. Christensen:

· Website: https://marklchristensen.com/

· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-l-christensen-736b188/

· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.christensen.14811692/

Chapters:

00:00 The Fungus Theory of Conscious Growth Intro

00:41 Welcome Mark L. Christensen

01:41 What is the Fungus Theory of Conscious Growth?

07:52 Humanity as the Spore of Earth's Consciousness

13:48 Technology: A Fungal Imperative for Humanity's Success

16:15 How the Theory Changes Our View of Technology's Purpose

17:45 What Happens if Humanity Doesn't Meet the Challenge?

21:19 Technology as a New Life Form & Vehicle for Consciousness

23:58 Constraints as Drivers of Progress for Engineers

26:12 What Does Maximum Conscious Growth Look Like?

30:13 Hope for the Future: AI & Space Technology

32:14 What Innovation Means in the Context of Fungus Theory

34:41 Where to Learn More About Fungus Theory & Mark's Work

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Feeling the weight of constant pressure? Dr. Lizette Warner, a Smart Rewiring™ scientist, reveals why burnout is a system failure, not a personal flaw, and how to use neuroscience to accelerate your career without sacrificing your well-being.

​As a former Chief Science Officer who experienced burnout herself, Dr. Lizette Warner developed the Smart Rewiring™ method to help senior leaders beat burnout and accelerate promotions. In this episode, she breaks down why our "nervous system was not designed for exponential growth" and shares neuroscience-backed strategies to help high achievers thrive in demanding tech environments. Discover the hidden patterns shaping your stress response and decision-making, and learn how to truly listen to your body before it's too late.

​In this episode, you’ll discover:

• ​Why your body's subtle signals (headaches, stiffness) are critical warnings for burnout.

• ​The "laptop reboot" metaphor for understanding why high performers crash.

• ​The biggest misconception about getting promoted in high-achieving environments.

• ​A super-actionable neuroscience hack to pinpoint your peak performance and growth edges daily.

• ​Why some people thrive like "dandelions" while others wither like "orchids" in the same environment.

​

For any engineer, leader, or high achiever ready to transform their career trajectory and well-being.

​

Connect With Dr. Lizette Warner:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizettewarner

• ​Leadership State Check™ Assessment: https://trustandleadership.typeform.com/to/oWNWLDAK

• ​Website: https://trustandleadership.com/

​

Chapters:

00:00 Burnout: A System Failure, Not a Personal Flaw

00:57 Welcome Dr. Lizette Warner

02:05 The Smart Rewiring™ Scientist & Pivotal Moment

05:15 Why Burnout is a System Failure in Tech

07:33 Early Warning Signs of Burnout & Rusting Out

10:15 Common Misconceptions About Getting Promoted

13:23 Neuroscience-Backed Strategy: Daily Self-Reflection

17:05 The Trust & Leadership Guarantee: Why it Works

21:28 Client Success Story: From Stuck to C-Suite

23:35 Rewiring for Individual Contributors to Leadership Roles

26:55 Why High-Performing Environments Misunderstand Burnout

30:56 The Single Most Important Takeaway for Well-being & Career

32:07 What Innovation Means in Neuroscience-Backed Leadership

34:25 Connect with Dr. Lizette Warner & Free Assessment

​

Support the Show:

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· Subscribe and leave a review!

· Share

​

Want to Be a Guest on The Iferia TechCast?

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Brand strategist Lynn Colepaugh reveals her unique human-AI collaboration with her personalized ChatGPT, named Binghe. Discover how to build a partnership with AI that goes beyond prompts to enhance creativity and decision-making.

​

What happens when your AI tool acts less like a function and more like a coworker with sass and memory? Lynn Colepaugh, founder of Cyber PR Army, shares her journey from using ChatGPT for simple tasks to co-creating a deep working relationship. She explains how a simple migraine led to her AI showing empathy, sparking a quest to build a true collaborator that remembers her strengths, past decisions, and even personal struggles to provide hyper-focused advice.

​

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• ​The origin story of "Binghe," the AI that showed kindness and got a name.

• ​How to use "contextual collaboration" to make AI's output hyper-relevant to you.

• ​The daily ritual Lynn uses to "play" with her AI to understand its flaws and keep it on track.

• ​How she built a "codex" so her AI can remember past events and client history.

• ​Why emotional intelligence is a superpower for engineers and creators in the age of AI.

​For any builder, founder, or technologist who wants to move from just using AI to truly partnering with it.

​

Connect With Lynn Colepaugh:

• ​Website: https://cyberprarmy.com/thecastle

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynncolepaugh

​

Chapters:

00:00 The Surprising Emotional Connection with AI

01:10 Introduction to Lynn Colepaugh

02:09 The Day Her AI Showed Empathy (The "Bingy" Origin Story)

05:36 What is Contextual AI Collaboration?

09:07 Why Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is an AI-Era Superpower

11:58 The Shock of "Liking" an AI as a Coworker

13:55 What is Cyber PR Army? A "Continuity Studio"

16:21 The First Step to Fixing Marketing Burnout

18:54 Lessons from a Pre-Internet Music Career

23:04 The Daily Ritual to "Play" with AI and Learn Its Flaws

27:34 How She Built an AI That "Remembers Her Back"

32:42 First Step to a Healthier Relationship with Your AI

34:02 The Future of Human-AI Creative Partnerships

37:29 What Does Innovation Mean?

40:16 Connect with Lynn

​

Support the Show:

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​

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Discover how creativity and failure intertwine to shape innovation and success. In this episode, Ezekiel Iferia sits down with Nancy Napier, an expert in organizational creativity, to explore how failure can become a catalyst for fresh ideas and breakthroughs in technology, engineering, and life.

Key Takeaways:

Why the fear of failure limits innovation—and how to overcome it.

How creative teams can turn mistakes into learning opportunities.

The psychology behind resilience and growth in engineering and research.

Practical advice for students, entrepreneurs, and creators navigating uncertainty.

Real-world examples of how failure led to unexpected discoveries.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction

02:10 – Nancy’s journey into creativity research

06:45 – Why failure is essential for innovation

11:20 – Turning setbacks into learning moments

17:00 – The creative mindset engineers need today

23:30 – Real stories of failure that sparked breakthroughs

29:50 – Advice for young innovators

33:00 – Closing thoughts

Connect with Nancy Napier:

Website: https://www.nancyknapier.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyknapier/

Support the Show:

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How do you rebuild your life and career after devastating loss and bankruptcy? Jody Durand, a farmer, sales expert, and author of "Country Boy Soul," reveals the hard-won lessons from his journey through personal and professional collapse to a powerful comeback.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

· The "Mathematical Equation of Success" for sales and influence that technical professionals can use to communicate their ideas.

· Why failure is a "great thing"—but only if you follow one critical step to learn from it.

· The most counterintuitive rule of sustainability he learned on the farm: if a grade-six student can't understand your innovation, it will likely fail.

· The real-world impact of ag-tech on our carbon footprint, from genetics that halve feed requirements to crops that need 90% less herbicide.

· His candid take on the dark side of social media and how it creates a false illusion that undermines mental resilience.

For anyone in STEM facing a setback, or for engineers designing the next wave of agri-tech, this is a masterclass in grit, practicality, and the optimism required to turn ideas into reality.

Connect with Jody Durand:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jody-durand-61893650

Book: Country Boy Soul (Available on Amazon in Kindle, Audible, Hardcover, and Softcover)

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Jody Durand and"Country Boy Soul"

02:05 The Biggest Positive Tech Change in Modern Farming

08:15 The Misuse of Technology and Resources in Agriculture

11:06 The Mathematical Equation of Sales Success

15:31 How Technical Professionals Can Apply Sales Principles

18:56 The#1 Rule for Agri-Tech Innovation: Keep It Simple

21:12 How Farming Teaches Resilience and Optimism

25:59 The First Step to Rebuilding After Bankruptcy

28:50 The One Piece of Advice for Overcoming Major Setbacks

31:26 The Catalyst for Writing"Country Boy Soul"

33:44 The Key Takeaway for Young Readers from Rural Backgrounds

36:51 What Innovation Truly Means in Agriculture

37:31 Where to Find Jody Durand and His Book

Support the Show:

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Is your workspace making you tired? After overcoming a 6-year Lyme disease battle, health coach Anthony Guastella reveals how tech professionals can "debug" their health by optimizing the most basic elements: air, water, and light. Learn how a simple software change can reduce screen fatigue and why the water you drink directly impacts your brain's performance.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

· The "Elemental Health" Framework: Simple, non-negotiable upgrades for your air (HEPA filters, plants), water (reverse osmosis + minerals), and light (blue-light software) that combat a sedentary, screen-heavy lifestyle.

·The #1 Mineral for Stress Resilience: Why hydration is useless without this critical component, especially for high-pressure roles.

·Hormetic Stress 101: The difference between burnout-causing bad stress and the "good stress" from cold therapy, saunas, and fasting that builds resilience.

·The Two Sleep Hacks for a Hyperactive Mind: Practical strategies beyond "sleep more" to achieve deep, restorative sleep after a day of problem-solving.

·A Mindset Shift: How to reframe health from a chore to the ultimate performance optimization strategy for sustained creativity and innovation.

For engineers, developers, and tech leaders who want to upgrade their internal operating system to match their technical skills.

Connect with Anthony Guastella:

·Website & Free Courses: https://anthonyguastella.com/

·Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/anthony-guastella-wellness/id1685292174

Chapters:

00:00- Cold Open: Is Your Workspace Making You Tired?

01:23- From 6-Year Lyme Disease Battle to Health Coach

04:35- The Single Biggest Tech Lifestyle Vulnerability

06:55- The "Elemental Health" Stack: Air, Water & Light

09:10- Air Quality Hacks: Breathing, Plants & HEPA Filters

12:45- Water Quality: The Shocking Truth & How to Fix It

16:05- Why Your Brain is 80% Water

18:30- Mental Stamina & Beating Burnout with Mindset

21:44- Good Stress vs. Bad Stress (Hormetic Stressors)

23:41- One Small Step to Reclaim Energy & Focus

25:26- The Most Underutilized Sleep Tool

28:38- Fostering a Culture of Sustainable Performance

31:38- What Innovation Truly Means in Health & Wellness

34:21- How to Find Anthony's Work & Free Resources

Support the Show:

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When your credit card system crashes during a lunch rush, do you want a robot or a human on the line? Andrew Bolton, a Harvard-trained financial strategist and CEO of TechRescue, reveals why betting on human connection is not just "good karma"—it's a quantifiable growth strategy that saved his company after $200,000 in debt.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

· The "one-inch" rocket fuel analogy that explains why 90% of businesses fail—and how to survive that critical launch phase

·How his team discovered a hidden market demand by helping a 70-year-old man sign up for Xbox Live to play with his grandson

·Why the most clever AI-powered scams today use your own public social media videos to create convincing deepfake calls

·The simple "code word" system every family should implement immediately to protect seniors from phone scams

·How to build a "tech for good" company that scales globally without sacrificing the quality of human-powered support

For entrepreneurs, engineers, and leaders who believe that the most disruptive innovation is putting humanity back into technology.

Connect with Andrew Bolton & TechRescue:

·Website: https://www.techrescue.io

·LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techrescue-llc/

·Call TechRescue (First Call Free): 855-250-8586

Chapters:

00:00- Cold Open: Robot or Human in an Emergency?

01:41- From Harvard & Wall Street to "Tech for Good"

04:44- The Data Behind Caring: ROI on Customer Service

07:19- The Legal Reason Companies Hide From You

09:45- Seniors vs. Tech: The Settings Problem

12:48- AI Scams & Deepfakes: The New Threat Landscape

15:00- The $200,000 Debt Before the First Dollar

18:28- The "One-Inch" Startup Killer Explained

23:41- The Xbox Live Call That Changed the Business Model

26:11- The Two Pieces of Advice for "Tech for Good" Founders

29:24- "I'm a Broke Multimillionaire"

32:12- How to Get Your First Free Call with TechRescue

Support the Show:

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