The Jason Cavness Experience

From Astrophysics to AI Dr. Sean Robinson on Machine Learning, Startups, and the Future of Innovation

From studying gamma rays for NASA to leading AI startups in Seattle, Dr. Sean Robinson has spent his career decoding both the universe and the algorithms shaping our future. In this conversation, Jason Cavness and Sean dive into everything from machine learning ethics and startup funding to consciousness, simulation theory, and humanity's next technological leap.

Episode Highlights

• Lessons from computational astrophysics and NASA collaborations • Building and leading ML/AI teams in startups • Nuclear detection, anomaly modeling, and simulation physics • Consciousness, creativity, and AI decision-making • Universal basic income and AI's economic ripple effects • The ethics and limitations of artificial intelligence • How to evaluate startup ideas and investment potential

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Dr. Sean Robinson is a scientist, entrepreneur, and machine learning leader based in Seattle. With a Ph.D. in computational astrophysics from the University of Washington, he has worked on everything from NASA/DOE gamma ray telescope algorithms to AI-driven business R&D. A passionate advocate for innovation with purpose, Sean continues exploring the boundaries of AI, consciousness, and global impact while speaking at conventions and writing about science, technology, and culture.

Guest Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-robinson-phd/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sean.robinson.12532

Guest Quote / Advice

"We have a real shot at building a better future. My career has always been about taking that shot. Let's make sure we get to the good side of this — where innovation benefits everyone."

Call to Action

🎧 Full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 💡 Become an owner in CavnessHR: https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr 📘 Download 7 free startup ebooks: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

Exploring Consciousness, Creativity, and VR Education — David of Blackmuse on Innovation and Transformation

From coding virtual worlds to guiding real-life transformation, David, Founder of Blackmuse, brings a rare mix of technology, creativity, and introspection. With a background spanning project management, VR curriculum design, and life coaching, David's work merges education, mental health, and digital art into something deeply human. In this episode, he and Jason Cavness dive into the future of immersive learning, spirituality, and how self-discovery drives true innovation.

Episode Highlights

• Military service, wealth disparity, and social class • Spiritual awakening and personal transformation • Gender identity, creativity, and expression • AR/VR and the Blackmuse vision • Psychedelics, Veteran mental health, and the nature of reality • Rethinking education for innovators and creatives

Call to Action

🎧 Full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 💡 Become an owner in CavnessHR: https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr 📘 Download 7 free startup ebooks: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

Guest Bio (Condensed)

David is the Founder of Blackmuse, a multidisciplinary initiative blending art, technology, and education to inspire creative growth. Formerly VP of Project Management at Sitebiz and Senior IT Specialist, David led projects across e-commerce, design, and development. His innovative work in AR/VR learning — including state-approved immersive courses — redefines how young people build self-awareness and career skills through creativity and technology.

Guest Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackmusellc/ Website – https://www.blackmuse.net/

Guest Quote / Advice

"There's no such thing as a bad idea. The only bad question is the one left unasked. Take a chance on yourself, find your quiet space, and build from there."

From Soldier to Startup Founder Jason Cavness on the Pro Dev Hot Seat

In this crossover episode, The Jason Cavness Experience features Jason himself in the hot seat. Recorded during his guest appearance on the Pro Dev Hot Seat, Jason shares lessons from his 25-year U.S. Army career, his path into HR and entrepreneurship, and the challenges of building CavnessHR a platform delivering HR for companies with 49 or fewer people. He talks adaptability, self-awareness, and the power of staying mission-driven in business and life.

Episode Highlights

• From the Army to HR founder how discipline fuels innovation • Staying adaptable in uncertain times • Why most people misunderstand HR's real role • Advice for new graduates entering the workforce • How to build a company that actually serves small businesses

Special Offer for Seattle Small Businesses

As part of CavnessHR's product/market-fit and tech-platform validation, we're providing Employee Handbooks and HR Policies at no cost to companies with 49 or fewer employees located in Seattle. Email [email protected] to learn more.

Call to Action

🎧 Full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 💡 Become an owner in CavnessHR: https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr 📘 Download 7 free startup ebooks: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Jason Cavness is a tattooed INFJ, retired U.S. Army officer, and Founder/CEO of CavnessHR. His mission: deliver effective HR to small businesses through technology and access to dedicated HR Business Partners. He also hosts The Jason Cavness Experience, interviewing entrepreneurs, Veterans, and change-makers who redefine leadership and resilience.

Lighting Up Innovation George Tasick on Pyrobotics, Fireworks Engineering, and the Art of Pyrotechnics

For George Tasick, fireworks are more than spectacle — they're science, culture, and invention fused into one. As Founder of Pyrobotics and a patented inventor, George has spent over 25 years revolutionizing the global fireworks industry, integrating robotics and automation to bring precision and safety to a centuries-old craft. In this episode, Jason Cavness explores his journey from a kid mesmerized by movie magic to a global innovator shaping the future of pyrotechnics.

Episode Highlights

• Living and working across Asia and South America • How childhood curiosity became a lifelong career • Navigating global regulations and pyrotechnic safety • What it takes to secure a patent in a niche industry • The future of fireworks — automation, sustainability, and artistry • Balancing creativity, risk, and entrepreneurship

Call to Action

🎧 Full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 💡 Become an owner in CavnessHR: https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr 📘 Download 7 free startup ebooks: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

Guest Bio (Condensed)

George Tasick is the Founder of Pyrobotics and a pioneer in the intersection of robotics, chemistry, and performance art. Known as the "Willy Wonka of fireworks," he's spent over two decades designing pyrotechnic systems, consulting for international events, and modernizing Brazil's fireworks industry. His work combines deep technical mastery with creative storytelling — proving innovation can be both explosive and elegant.

Guest Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-tasick/

Pouring Creativity into Entrepreneurship Natasha Petrovich on PNW Bar Events and the Art of Hospitality

From Chicago's hustle to Seattle's Pioneer Square, Natasha Petrovich turned a lifelong passion for creativity, hospitality, and connection into PNW Bar Events — a woman-owned mobile bartending company bringing craftsmanship and personality to every celebration. Jason Cavness sits down with Natasha to explore how she built a thriving business rooted in art, science, and genuine joy for serving others.

Episode Highlights

• Growing up in Chicago and learning the trade-show hustle • Turning bartending into a creative entrepreneurial career • Building PNW Bar Events from scratch in the Pacific Northwest • The evolution of hospitality and event experiences post-COVID • Pioneer Square's small-business community and local inspiration • Advice for anyone ready to "pour" their passion into a venture

Call to Action

🎧 Full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 💡 Become an owner in CavnessHR: https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr 📘 Download 7 free startup ebooks: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Natasha Petrovich is the Founder of PNW Bar Events, a mobile bartending and event-design company known for blending artistic flair with professional hospitality. With two decades of trade-show experience and nearly 15 years behind the bar, Natasha has redefined what it means to create memorable experiences — crafting each event with creativity, connection, and care.

Guest Links

Website – https://www.pnwbar.com/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/pnw.bar.events/

From Bedside to Boardroom Emily Cheng on Founding MedVenture and Empowering Traveling Healthcare Professionals

Critical-care nurse turned entrepreneur Emily Cheng is the Co-Founder and CEO of MedVenture App, a platform uniting and empowering traveling healthcare professionals across the country. In this conversation with Jason Cavness, she shares how she turned compassion and burnout into innovation—building a company centered on connection, wellness, and adventure.

Episode Highlights

• How Emily's journey as a travel nurse inspired MedVenture • The challenges of co-founding a startup in healthcare tech • Meditation, mindfulness, and psychedelics for mental wellness • Using storytelling and marketing to grow a mission-driven community • Lessons from hiking, travel, and entrepreneurship

Call to Action

🎧 Full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 💡 Become an owner in CavnessHR: https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr 📘 Download 7 free startup ebooks: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Emily Cheng is a multipotentialite critical-care nurse turned nurse-innovator and the CEO & Co-Founder of MedVenture App, a mobile platform built to connect traveling healthcare professionals through community, resources, and shared purpose. A lifelong learner and outdoor enthusiast, Emily combines her passions for wellness, equity, and creativity to reimagine the travel-healthcare industry from the inside out.

Guest Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/emchengrn/ MedVenture Website – https://www.medventureapp.com/ MedVenture Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/medventureapp/ Emily Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/everevolvingem/

HR Laws Small Businesses Must Follow (49 or fewer employees)

If you have even one employee, you're already on the hook for key HR laws. In this solo episode, Jason breaks down what applies at 1+, 15+, and 20+ employees, how federal and state rules interact, and simple steps to stay compliant while you grow. Includes a Seattle-specific offer: free employee handbooks and HR policies for qualifying small businesses as part of CavnessHR's product/market-fit and platform validation.

Episode highlights • What applies at 1+ employees (FLSA, OSHA, ECPA, ERISA basics, I-9/IRCA, Equal Pay Act, NLRA rights, USERRA, hazard communication) • When additional rules kick in at 15+ (ADA, Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Title VII, GINA) • What changes at 20+ (ADEA, COBRA basics) • Federal vs. state: the "most protective" rule wins • Practical compliance checklist for founders under 50 employees

Seattle offer (PMF/tech validation) As part of CavnessHR's product/market-fit and platform validation, we're providing Employee Handbooks and core HR policies at no cost to companies with 49 or fewer people in the City of Seattle. Email [email protected] to apply.

Call to action Full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com Become an owner in CavnessHR: https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr Download 7 free startup ebooks: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

Quick reference by company size 1+ employees (federal baseline) • FLSA — minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping • OSHA — safe workplace; poster required • Equal Pay Act — no sex-based pay discrimination; poster required • IRCA/I-9 — verify work authorization, retain I-9s • NLRA — employee rights to concerted activity (even in non-union shops) • USERRA — military leave/reinstatement protections • ERISA — if you offer benefits, follow plan/governance rules • ECPA — limits on intercepting electronic communications • Hazard Communication (if applicable) — train/label hazardous substances • Drug-Free Workplace — mandatory only for certain federal contractors/grantees; otherwise voluntary but regulated if you test

15+ employees • ADA/ADAAA — disability discrimination prohibition and reasonable accommodations • Title VII — race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation/gender identity), national origin • Pregnancy Discrimination Act — pregnancy/related conditions; reasonable accommodations • GINA — no discrimination based on genetic information

20+ employees • ADEA — protects workers age 40+ • COBRA — continuation of group health coverage after qualifying events

Simple founder checklist • Post required federal/state posters and maintain I-9 and time records • Adopt clear policies: EEO, anti-harassment, disability and pregnancy accommodations, leaves, overtime, timekeeping, device/IT use, drug-testing (if any), military leave, safety • Keep job descriptions, offer letters, and pay practices aligned with FLSA and Equal Pay rules • Train managers yearly on EEO/harassment, accommodations, and wage/hour basics • Review benefits for ERISA compliance (if offered) and keep SPD/plan docs in order • Track headcount thresholds (15, 20) so added obligations don't sneak up on you

Notes This episode provides general information, not legal advice. Requirements can vary by state and city; when federal and state rules conflict, the rule most protective of employees typically applies. Seattle employers may also have additional local requirements (wage, leave, scheduling). Consult counsel for

From Equity to Innovation Chandler Lewis on Building Social Impact, Mental Health Advocacy, and Startup Ecosystems

Founder, educator, and community leader Chandler Lewis has spent his career bridging equity, entrepreneurship, and mental health. As Managing Director of 360 Social Impact Studios and Director of Equity & Inclusion at the Cross Cultural Health Care Program, Chandler helps organizations design systems that actually serve people. In this conversation with Jason Cavness, he unpacks the lessons from education, DEI, and venture creation that shape a more inclusive future for founders and communities alike.

Episode Highlights

• Insights from Washington State's trade mission to Australia with Governor Jay Inslee • Bringing digital learning and opportunity to rural communities • What true diversity, equity, and inclusion look like in practice • Building 360 Social Impact Studios and mentoring founders • Launching a VC fund with purpose at its core

Call to Action

🎧 Full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 💡 Become an owner in CavnessHR: https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr 📘 Download 7 free startup ebooks: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

Guest Bio (Condensed)

Chandler Lewis, M.Sc (he/him / neurodivergent) is the Founder and Managing Director of 360 Social Impact Studios and the Director of Equity & Inclusion at the Cross Cultural Health Care Program (CCHCP). He brings 13 years of experience spanning education, non-profit leadership, startups, and mental health advocacy. A graduate of the University of Washington and Johns Hopkins University, Chandler works at the intersection of equity, innovation, and entrepreneurship—helping founders and organizations design for lasting impact.

Guest Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandlerjlewis/ 360 Social Impact Studios – https://www.360socialventures.com/

Startup Founders: Finding the Right Investor — Insights from Tacoma Startup Week

Recorded live at the inaugural Tacoma Startup Week, this panel brings together founders and investors for a candid discussion about what it really takes to attract the right backers. Hosted by Jason Cavness, the conversation explores how founders can align vision, values, and strategy with investors who truly add value beyond capital.

Episode Highlights

• Key traits every successful founder shares • How to overcome self-doubt while fundraising • What investors look for before writing a check • Setting realistic expectations about startup funding • Building trust and alignment between founders and investors

Call to Action

🎧 Full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 💡 Become an owner in CavnessHR: https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr 📘 Download 7 free startup ebooks: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

Panel Guests (Condensed Bios & Links)

Dan Kanivas – Partner at Triple Summit Advisors LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dankanivas/

Margaret Dawson – Global Marketing Executive at Apptio LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretedawson/

Tanushree "Tee" Podder – Investor at Trilogy Equity Partners LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanushreepodder/

Christopher Kennamer – Managing Partner at OneSixOne Ventures LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherrkennamer/

Special thanks to Karina Martija-Harris and Washington Maritime Blue for hosting this Tacoma Startup Week event. LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/karina-martija-harris-she-her-hers-ba48a715b/ Website – https://maritimeblue.org/

Startup Founders: Unicorns and Rainbows — The Hard Truths of Building a Business (Tacoma Startup Week Panel)

Recorded live at the first-ever Tacoma Startup Week, this panel—Startup Founders: Unicorns and Rainbows—pulls back the curtain on what entrepreneurship really looks like. Jason Cavness moderates a candid conversation with founders who share the highs, lows, and lessons of startup life. The goal isn't to discourage entrepreneurship, but to reveal the resilience and realism required to thrive in it.

Episode Highlights

• Finding balance between passion and burnout • Mental health and self-care for founders • The truth about funding and investor expectations • Why customer research matters more than pitch decks • Building a company that survives beyond the hype

Call to Action

🎧 Full episodes: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com 💡 Become an owner in CavnessHR: https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr 📘 Download 7 free startup ebooks: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

Panel Guests (Condensed Bios & Links)

James Marszalek – Founder at Operation Red Dot Gov-Con LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmarszalek/

Laura Malcolm – Founder & CEO of Give In Kind LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauramalcolm/

Sarah Bell – Startup Adviser at LeapSheep LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-bell-startup-building-adviser-at-leapsheep/

Ellenor McIntosh – Co-Founder of Twipes LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenor-mcintosh/

Special thanks to Karina Martija-Harris of Washington Maritime Blue for hosting the event. LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/karina-martija-harris-she-her-hers-ba48a715b/