The Jason Cavness Experience

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason talks with Ahmad Corner, a community builder, startup advisor, and strategic connector shaping how people, purpose, and opportunity intersect.

Ahmad is the Founder and Principal at YPGroup, a digital and experiential growth agency, and Managing Partner at Access2, a diversity-forward staffing firm helping organizations build more inclusive teams. He also serves on the Boards of Mercy Housing and YPCommunities, where he leads initiatives that align corporate resources with community needs.

They discuss the realities of scaling mission-driven organizations, the future of work, and why curiosity — not credentials — is the true foundation of leadership.

We Talked About

• Building sustainable communities around purpose and opportunity • Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech ecosystem • The evolution of YPGroup, YPCommunities, and Access2 • Leadership lessons from startup and nonprofit worlds • The business side of social impact and mentorship • Startup Week Seattle and growing local ecosystems • Pickleball, snowboarding, and balancing work with play • Imposter syndrome and building confidence in leadership • Future of work, employee expectations, and hybrid culture • Staying curious and open in a rapidly changing world

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Ahmad Corner is a Seattle-based entrepreneur, advisor, and community builder. He leads YPGroup and Access2, sits on the Boards of Mercy Housing and YPCommunities, and formerly served as Director of Business Development for Seattle Startup Week.

Ahmad's work centers on helping organizations scale by creating authentic connections between people, purpose, and business impact — always with a lens on inclusion, curiosity, and long-term value creation.

Guest Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmad-corner/ YPGroup – https://www.ypgroup.co/ YPCommunities – https://www.ypcommunities.com/

Sponsor

The Jason Cavness Experience is sponsored by CavnessHR. CavnessHR provides HR to companies with 49 or fewer people, offering a tech platform that automates HR while giving you access to a dedicated HR Business Partner. www.CavnessHR.com

Ahmad's Advice

"Stay curious. Don't be afraid to ask questions or approach people. Curiosity builds connection — and connection builds everything else."

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason talks with Andrew Biddle, a former Airborne Ranger, Marine Scout Sniper, and Private Military Contractor who spent nearly a decade in Iraq and Afghanistan before turning his focus to entrepreneurship and innovation.

Andrew shares how his military mindset shaped his leadership in business — founding Roof Tec, a Seattle-based company pioneering "smart roofs" that integrate drones, robotics, and IoT sensors, and Black Tusk Technologies, a defense startup developing advanced drone systems for close air support.

He also discusses volunteering in Ukraine, the realities of the modern battlefield, and what it means to build purpose-driven companies that merge technology, discipline, and environmental responsibility.

We Talked About

• His transition from combat to entrepreneurship • Founding Roof Tec and Black Tusk Technologies • How drones and robotics are transforming roofing and defense • The mental health and discipline of snipers • Lessons from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine • The evolution of drone warfare and FPV tech • Leadership, forgiveness, and building a trustworthy team • Environmental sustainability in construction • Challenges of Veteran entrepreneurship • Customer trust, sales, and scaling operations • The role of innovation in national security and small business

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Andrew Biddle is a U.S. Army Ranger, Marine Scout Sniper, and Private Military Contractor turned entrepreneur. After nine years in Iraq and Afghanistan — and later volunteering in Ukraine — Andrew returned home to build companies that push boundaries in technology and sustainability.

He's the founder of Roof Tec, a roofing company integrating drone and IoT innovation, and Black Tusk Technologies, a defense startup designing drones for tactical applications. His journey bridges battlefield precision, startup grit, and environmental innovation — a model for what Veteran leadership looks like in the modern tech economy.

Guest Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewbiddle/ Email – [email protected] Roof Tec – https://roof-tec.net/ Black Tusk Technologies – https://www.blacktusktech.com/

Sponsor

The Jason Cavness Experience is sponsored by CavnessHR. CavnessHR provides HR to companies with 49 or fewer people, offering a tech platform that automates HR while giving you access to a dedicated HR Business Partner. www.CavnessHR.com

Andrew's Advice

"Hire a team you can trust — and then trust them. Learn to forgive their mistakes so you can focus on what's next."

Call to Action

🎧 Listen to more episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 🏗️ Explore Roof Tec: https://roof-tec.net/ 🛰️ Learn more about Black Tusk Tech: https://www.blacktusktech.com/ 💼 Automate HR with CavnessHR: www.CavnessHR.com

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason talks with Bridger (Waleed) Ammar, an AI scientist and entrepreneur who has spent nearly two decades shaping how the world builds, scales, and governs intelligent systems.

From Google Health, Google Research, and the Allen Institute for AI to founding Higg, Bridger has led projects at the intersection of data, biology, and humanity — pioneering breakthroughs in language-universal models, scientific modeling, and large-scale AI deployment.

He shares insights on the ethics of AI, the purpose of science, and how global collaboration can drive holistic intelligence — intelligence that's not just artificial, but deeply human.

We Talked About

• His journey through academia, AI research, and entrepreneurship • The philosophy and community lessons he learned from Burning Man • The future of science — and why peer review needs an overhaul • AI's role in biology, ethics, and global cooperation • The future of human intelligence — are we getting smarter or just faster? • Large language models, ethics, and the coming singularity • Advice for young scientists and engineers • Why the pyramids are a lesson in systems thinking • Balancing curiosity, culture, and self-expression

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Bridger (Waleed) Ammar has been advancing the state of the art in AI and data modeling since 2006. His work spans Google Research, Google Health, Microsoft, IBM, and the Allen Institute for AI, and his research has appeared in Nature, JAMA, NeurIPS, ACL, and EMNLP.

He's advised institutions like the NSF, SDAIA, and leading global platforms on AI strategy. As co-founder of Higg, he's now exploring what he calls holistic intelligence — the integration of science, art, and human values in technology.

Guest Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/waleedammar/ Email – [email protected] Website – https://higg.world/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/holistic_intelligence/

Sponsor

The Jason Cavness Experience is sponsored by CavnessHR, which delivers HR to companies with 49 or fewer employees through a tech platform that automates HR while providing access to a dedicated HR Business Partner. www.CavnessHR.com

Quote / Key Insight

"AI won't replace human intelligence — it will reveal what makes it truly human." — Bridger (Waleed) Ammar

Call to Action

🎧 Listen to full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 🤖 Learn more about Higg: https://higg.world/ 💡 Explore HR for small businesses: www.CavnessHR.com

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason talks with Dr. Lynne Robinson, Mayor of Bellevue, Washington. Lynne joined the Bellevue City Council in 2014 and was chosen by her peers as deputy mayor in 2018, then mayor in 2020, 2022, and again in 2024 — an unprecedented third consecutive term as mayor during a period of huge growth on Seattle's Eastside. City of Bellevue+1

Lynne is a retired physical therapist and former small business owner. She's known for pushing startup support, equitable economic development, parks and open space, and especially affordable housing — including backing a property tax exemption for multifamily projects that include affordable units. She's also active regionally on transit, human services, homelessness response, and environmental sustainability. City of Bellevue+2BellevueDowntown.com+2

Conversation Topics • Her path: clinician, founder, councilmember, then three-term mayor • Why housing affordability is now the central issue for Bellevue's future — and what the city is actually doing about it • Bringing startups and founders into City Hall: Startup 425, crowdfunding workshops, and why she wants Bellevue to be friendly to early-stage companies, not just big tech • Parks, green space, and why she thinks access to nature is part of public health and part of economic development • Balancing explosive growth: jobs, transit, traffic, livability • Remote work, return-to-office pressure, and what it means for downtown Bellevue's small businesses • Homelessness, human services, and tracking real outcomes (not just talking points) for families and kids in crisis • Public safety, emergency response, and accountability to residents • Regional work: light rail, mobility, and climate goals on the Eastside • Why local elections matter more than most people admit

Guest Bio (short version) Dr. Lynne Robinson is the Mayor of Bellevue, WA. She's been on the Bellevue City Council since 2014 and now represents the city on regional bodies including the King County Affordable Housing Committee, Sound Cities Association Large City Mayors group, and the Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board. Before politics, she ran her own physical therapy practice for 20 years. She holds a doctorate in physical therapy from Regis University and serves on the Washington Technology Industry Association's Cascadia Blockchain Council, reflecting her interest in tech, innovation, and the startup ecosystem on the Eastside. City of Bellevue+2BellevueDowntown.com+2

Sponsor The Jason Cavness Experience is sponsored by CavnessHR. CavnessHR provides HR to companies with 49 or fewer people through a tech platform that automates HR and gives you access to a dedicated HR Business Partner. www.CavnessHR.com

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Charles Connor, known in the art world as The Original Spur — a U.S. Veteran, painter, and storyteller who rebuilt his creative life after serving in Iraq.

Charles shares how he rediscovered his passion for art after a 13-year creative block caused by PTSD. Today, his work celebrates creativity, positivity, and individuality — blending bold colors, realism, and African American cultural themes through his unique lens as a Black man and Veteran artist.

This is a conversation about healing, identity, and the power of art to rebuild purpose.

Episode Highlights

• From drawing Ninja Turtles to becoming The Original Spur • Military service, Iraq, and the toll of PTSD • Reconnecting with creativity after a decade of silence • Building a business around self-expression • Black art, community, and representation in Seattle • Finding peace and purpose through painting • Lessons from rebuilding both life and art • Why individuality matters in creative work • The intersection of trauma, healing, and beauty

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Charles Connor, known as The Original Spur, is a U.S. Army Veteran and abstract artist whose work combines vibrant color, realism, and cultural storytelling.

After serving in Iraq, Charles faced years of creative silence caused by PTSD — until he rediscovered his artistic spark 13 years later. His art now reflects resilience, individuality, and pride in the Black experience. Through his business The Original Spur, Charles creates original paintings, exhibits in Seattle's art community, and inspires others to reclaim their creativity after hardship.

Guest Links

Website – https://www.theoriginalspur.com/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/theoriginalspur Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/theoriginalspur/

Sponsor

The Jason Cavness Experience is sponsored by CavnessHR, which delivers HR to companies with 49 or fewer employees through a tech platform that automates HR while providing access to a dedicated HR Business Partner. www.CavnessHR.com

Guest Quote / Advice

"Art saved my life. I stopped running from my story — and started painting it instead."

Call to Action

🎧 Listen to full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 🎨 Explore Charles' work: www.theoriginalspur.com 💡 Learn more about CavnessHR: www.CavnessHR.com

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason talks with Byron Robinson — USA Olympian, entrepreneur, and Chairman & CEO of Robinson & Co, a diversified holding company spanning banking, consulting, and sports investment.

From competing in the 2016 Rio Olympics to leading a financial firm that advises middle-market companies and invests in emerging sports leagues, Byron shares how the lessons of elite athletics translate into disciplined leadership, resilience, and long-term vision. His journey bridges competition, faith, and business — showing how focus and consistency drive success on and off the track.

Episode Highlights

• From Olympic hurdler to financial leader • Founding and growing Robinson & Co Banking and Sports • Debt advisory, equity transactions, and middle-market strategy • Lessons from competition and the pursuit of excellence • The role of faith in leadership and decision-making • NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals and student-athlete mentorship • Building sustainable opportunities in the sports industry • Financial education for athletes and entrepreneurs • Balancing ambition, family, and personal growth • Leadership lessons from Birdman, Master P, and 50 Cent

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Byron Robinson is the Chairman and CEO of Robinson & Co and a 2016 USA Olympian in Track and Field.

Through Robinson & Co Banking, Byron provides strategic debt advisory and financing solutions for middle-market clients, while expanding into equity transactions and consulting through his firm's Presidents Club division. His newest venture, Robinson & Co Sports, invests in and supports emerging sports leagues to help athletes thrive both financially and professionally.

As a former Olympian in the 400-meter hurdles, Byron brings the same discipline and focus that fueled his athletic career to his leadership and investment philosophy — combining performance, vision, and purpose in everything he builds.

Guest Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/byron-robinson-oly/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/therealbswagg X – https://x.com/therealbswagg Company Website – https://www.robinsonandcobanking.com/

Sponsor

The Jason Cavness Experience is sponsored by CavnessHR, which delivers HR to companies with 49 or fewer people through a platform that automates HR while providing access to a dedicated HR Business Partner. www.CavnessHR.com

Guest Quote / Advice

"Discipline doesn't stop when the race ends — it just changes lanes. Whether in sports or business, consistency is what separates potential from performance."

Call to Action

🎧 Listen to full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 💡 Learn more about CavnessHR: www.CavnessHR.com 🏦 Explore Robinson & Co: www.robinsonandcobanking.com

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Dr. Shailendra Pratap Jain, Bret Wheat Endowed Professor of Marketing and International Business at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business.

Dr. Jain discusses his new book, Managing Brand Transgressions: 8 Principles to Transform Your Brand, co-authored with his wife Dr. Shalini Sarin Jain, and explores how brands can recover from mistakes, rebuild trust, and strengthen reputation.

From his research in consumer psychology to his experiences teaching across leading business schools worldwide, Dr. Jain offers rare insight into how culture, emotion, and communication shape brand loyalty and business resilience.

Episode Highlights

• Managing Brand Transgressions: the 8 core principles • Why brand recovery matters more than brand perfection • Global perspectives on consumer psychology • Marketing ethics and the psychology of trust • What companies can learn from how humans forgive • Lessons from global classrooms — India, Canada, and the U.S. • Academic life: research, teaching, and real-world impact • Preparing for a PhD and building a career in academia • India–Pakistan relations and their economic implications • How marketing, culture, and empathy intersect in leadership

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Dr. Shailendra Pratap Jain, Ph.D. is the Bret Wheat Endowed Professor of Marketing and International Business at the Foster School of Business, University of Washington, Seattle.

He has previously served on the faculties of Indiana University, Cornell University, Cambridge University, and the Indian School of Business, among others. Dr. Jain is recognized globally for his work in consumer psychology, brand strategy, and marketing ethics, with numerous publications in top academic journals and awards for both teaching and research.

His latest book, Managing Brand Transgressions: 8 Principles to Transform Your Brand, co-authored with Dr. Shalini Sarin Jain, provides a roadmap for organizations navigating crises, communication breakdowns, and public trust challenges.

Guest Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/shailendra-pratap-jain-4a781118/ Book Website – www.brandtransgressions.com Amazon – Managing Brand Transgressions: 8 Principles to Transform Your Brand De Gruyter (Bulk Orders) – De Gruyter Sales Contact

Sponsor

The Jason Cavness Experience is sponsored by CavnessHR, which delivers HR to companies with 49 or fewer employees through a tech platform that automates HR while providing access to a dedicated HR Business Partner. www.CavnessHR.com

Guest Quote / Advice

"Brands, like people, make mistakes. The difference between failure and transformation lies in how honestly and empathetically they respond."

Call to Action

🎧 Listen to full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 📘 Get the book: Managing Brand Transgressions 💡 Learn more about CavnessHR: www.CavnessHR.com

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Greg Bennick — keynote speaker, emcee, humanitarian, musician, and author of Reclaim the Moment: Seven Strategies to Build a Better Now.

Greg has spent decades inspiring audiences across 27 countries, helping them find focus and meaning in a world full of distractions. From fronting a punk band and founding a humanitarian nonprofit in Haiti, to performing stand-up in Ukraine and coaching leaders one-on-one — Greg's message is simple: you can't build a better future unless you learn how to focus on now.

Episode Highlights

• Building focus and creating possibility in daily life • How ADHD shaped Greg's creative and professional journey • The story behind his book Reclaim the Moment • The psychology of distraction and self-esteem • Lessons from 27 countries of travel and speaking • His humanitarian work with 100 for Haiti • Collecting rare coins and why pennies should go • From skydiving and scuba diving to storytelling and comedy • Finding your "single juggling ball" — what truly matters

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Greg Bennick is a keynote speaker, corporate emcee, and humanitarian who has spoken in 27 countries on building focus, leadership, and possibility.

He's the author of Reclaim the Moment: Seven Strategies to Build a Better Now — a guide to cutting through distraction and rediscovering clarity in an overwhelmed world. Greg's unique path spans music, philanthropy, and performance — from founding the international nonprofit 100 for Haiti to touring as the frontman of a punk band and performing spoken word from Iceland to Russia.

Through humor, insight, and experience, Greg helps audiences and leaders alike reconnect with the power of the present.

Guest Links

Book – Reclaim the Moment: Seven Strategies to Build a Better Now Website – https://www.gregbennick.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbennick/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/gregbennick Instagram – @gregbennick

Sponsor

The Jason Cavness Experience is sponsored by CavnessHR — delivering HR to companies with 49 or fewer employees through an AI-powered platform and a dedicated HR Business Partner. www.CavnessHR.com

Guest Quote / Advice

"Focus builds self-esteem. Self-esteem builds leadership. Leadership builds possibility. It all starts with reclaiming the moment you're in."

Call to Action

🎧 Listen to full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 📘 Order Greg's book: Reclaim the Moment 💡 Learn more about CavnessHR: www.CavnessHR.com

Franchesca Vargas is an entrepreneur, mother of four, and a first-generation American whose passion for community and advocacy drives her work.

Go to www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com for the full episode and other episodes of The Jason Cavness Experience on your favorite platforms.

Sponsor

The Jason Cavness Experience is sponsored by EquityED 2024: An Antiracist Education Conference Get ready for two days curated with engaging workshops, thought-provoking discussions, and inspiring speakers, all aimed at equipping you with the tools, skills, and insights needed to create inclusive and empowering spaces within any educational setting.

To RSVP and to attend the conference use this link.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/equityed-2024-an-antiracist-education-conference-tickets-897526113767?aff=JasonLinkedIn

Fancy's Bio

Franchesca Vargas is an entrepreneur, mother of four, and a first-generation American whose passion for community and advocacy drives her work. Fancy has carved a unique path in the business world while championing the rights of the underserved and disenfranchised.

Born to immigrant parents who instilled in her the values of hard work and resilience, Recognizing the voices of the marginalized, she has dedicated her resources and influence to providing a platform for those who have been overlooked and silenced.

We talked about the following and other items

Self-care, hobbies, and entrepreneurship with a first-generation immigrant.

Art, activism, and entrepreneurship in Renton, WA. Entrepreneurship, work ethic, and priorities.

Starting a PR business, personal growth, and activism through art.

Protests, art, and social justice. Art, creativity, and criticism.

Ballet and dance opportunities for a 14-year-old girl.

Art exhibitions, fees, and event planning.

Event planning challenges and creativity.

Creativity, entrepreneurship, and cultural identity as a first-generation immigrant.

Immigration, leadership, and purpose-driven businesses.

Entrepreneurship, sales, and parenting with a focus on perseverance and mentorship.

Networking events, art scene, and entrepreneurship in Seattle.

Entrepreneurship, marketing, and public relations.

Social media marketing strategies and best practices.

Using Instagram for business, including content creation and engagement strategies.

Social media platforms, mental health impacts on kids, and business goals.

Business values, integrity, and outreach to diverse communities.

Entrepreneurship, business growth, and time management.

Fancy's Social Media

Company Website: https://www.elevateprmanagement.com

Fancy's Instagram: @elev8prm

Kelvin Peprah, LMHC, founder of Peprah Counseling and Consulting, joins Jason Cavness to explore mental health, identity, and imposter syndrome — especially within BIPOC communities.

A psychotherapist, consultant, and speaker, Kelvin specializes in helping professionals of color overcome self-doubt and build emotional resilience. In this powerful conversation, he opens up about therapy as healing, immigrant experiences, representation in mental health, and how EMDR and self-awareness can help people move beyond trauma toward confidence and purpose.

Episode Highlights

• Healing imposter syndrome in BIPOC professionals • EMDR therapy and trauma recovery • Identity, culture shock, and resilience as an immigrant • Representation and mental health access for Black men • Overcoming systemic barriers and self-doubt • Therapy's role in emotional validation and growth • Mental health, psychedelics, and new treatment approaches • Creating inclusive, non-judgmental spaces for healing

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Kelvin Peprah, LMHC is a licensed psychotherapist, EMDR-trained trauma specialist, and founder of Peprah Counseling and Consulting. He helps BIPOC professionals overcome imposter syndrome and build emotional confidence through evidence-based mental health practices.

With eight years of experience working across organizations, universities, and private practice, Kelvin's mission is to make therapy accessible, culturally grounded, and empowering for people of color. His work blends psychological insight with compassion, helping clients reclaim their voice and worth in environments that often challenge both.

Guest Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvin-peprah-b4001833/ Website – https://peprahcounseling.com/ Instagram – @peprahcounseling Email – [email protected]

Guest Quote / Advice

"Imposter syndrome isn't proof that you don't belong — it's a reflection of systems that weren't built with you in mind. Healing starts when you give yourself permission to exist fully, without apology."