Two Dads in Tech

Troy Munson https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson and Daniel Berk –https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk return with one of the most vulnerable and powerful conversations yet on Two Dads in Tech.

For the first time, Troy opens up about the night he lost his best friend in a tragic drunk driving accident at 17 — a story that changed his life forever. From growing up without a father to becoming one himself, Troy reflects on grief, guilt, and how loss shaped the way he sees love, fatherhood, and the value of time.

Daniel guides him through memories of a rough childhood, abusive stepfathers, disconnection, resilience, and healing, leading to a brutally honest reflection on fear of death, PTSD, and parenting with empathy.

This isn’t just a story about tragedy — it’s about what comes after. How one moment can redefine how you show up as a husband, a father, and a human.

If you’ve ever lost someone, struggled with guilt, or wondered how to turn pain into perspective, this episode will stay with you long after it ends.

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🕒 Show Notes

(0:00) Cold open – new background & office talk(4:30) Daniel’s Co-working dream & podcast studio idea(5:30) Anthony’s episode recap & framing this conversation(6:00) Childhood: no father, tough stepdad, and early struggles(8:00) Family, addiction, and growing up around trauma(10:00) Escaping chaos and learning resilience(14:00) Finding out his biological dad died — 6 months later(17:00) Moving to Connecticut, quitting sports, becoming shy(21:00) Teenage years, first love, rebellion, and risky choices(22:00) The night everything changed — “He died on my lap.”(25:00) Processing trauma, loss, and survivor’s guilt(27:00) PTSD, fear, and learning to trust again(31:00) Premonition — “Don’t get into a black car.”(33:00) Fear of death, parenting, and finding purpose(36:00) College, marriage, and moving forward(41:00) Lessons for his kids — honesty, safety, empathy(44:00) Final reflections — what really matters as a parent

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🔗 Links

• Daniel Berk’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk

• Troy Munson’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson

• Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com

• Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com

• Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP

• Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964

• Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai

Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson and Daniel Berk –https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk dive deep into one of the most real conversations any parent can have: are we parenting in fear?

From the growing backlash against gentle parenting to the pressure of raising resilient kids in a chaotic world, this episode pulls zero punches. They talk about toddler meltdowns, regret, comparison culture, and why so many millennial parents secretly feel like they’re failing — even when they’re not.

The dads open up about burnout, guilt, and mental health, tackling questions like:

Are modern parents too afraid to let their kids fail?

Is social media making us worse moms and dads?

Why do most fathers struggle to ask for help?

They also share raw stories about sleepless nights, career regrets, feeling disconnected, and the loneliness of modern parenthood — with some needed humor on Love Is Blind, Costco rage, and irrational pet peeves to keep things real.

This episode is equal parts gut punch and therapy session, a reminder that every parent is figuring it out — and that talking about it might be the most important step.

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🕒 Show Notes

(0:00) Intro, banter & Donald Duck impressions 🦆(0:30) The end of “gentle parenting”?(1:20) Gen Z parents and the return of discipline(3:00) Why every dad loses it sometimes (and how to step away)(7:00) Toddler sleep PTSD & newborn chaos(10:00) Parenting guilt and the “I got this” trap(13:00) Love Is Blind, physical attraction & modern relationships(20:00) Building your utopia: bonfires, lakes, and no mosquitoes(24:00) Irrational anger: Costco, liberals & slow walkers(27:00) Biggest regrets: career, parenting, and lost time(34:00) Tech distractions, viral moments & being present(36:00) Fear-driven parenting & comparison culture(40:00) Advice for struggling parents: just tell someone(44:00) Dad support groups, mental health, and real connection(46:00) Closing thoughts & partnership invites

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🔗 Links

• Daniel Berk’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk

• Troy Munson’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson

• Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com

• Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com

• Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP

• Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964

• Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai

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Episode 46: Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson and Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk open up about midlife shifts, burnout, and finding meaning beyond work. From Troy’s recent Dimmo pivot to raw conversations about mental health, selfishness vs. self-care, and why life behind a screen can feel empty, this episode hits deep. The dads get vulnerable about identity, parenting, and the quiet weight many people carry but never voice. What starts as a business update turns into an unfiltered look at purpose, loss, and what really matters when the noise stops.

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Show Notes: (0:00) Launch day: Troy breaks down Dimmo’s pivot and new focus (0:45) The grind of startup life without big marketing budgets (1:30) What’s actually working in outbound today (3:30) Social algorithms, LinkedIn reach, and why virality can feel fake (5:00) Beehive’s story and how email is being reinvented (6:30) The power of organic impressions and building real audiences (7:00) Do audiences matter outside of tech? (Reddit, Quora, X) (8:00) The attention economy—are we leaving it or just renaming it? (9:30) Why “eyeballs = revenue” still rules every platform (11:00) Reddit as the last honest corner of the internet (12:00) Coffee, burnout, and managing ADHD during the grind (13:00) Troy’s routine change that killed his afternoon crash (14:00) Running, training, and the mental game of staying disciplined (16:00) Moab 240, ultras, and the insanity of endurance athletes (19:00) Why some pain is chosen—and some isn’t worth it (20:00) The case for being “selfishly healthy” as a parent and partner (21:00) Putting mental health first so you can show up for others (22:00) The fine line between balance and burnout (24:00) Marriage, faith, and where selfishness crosses into neglect (26:00) Early mornings, exhaustion, and the cost of self-discipline (27:00) TikTok tears: the story that broke Troy (28:00) Midlife reflections: am I living the right way? (29:00) Escaping screens, chasing sunsets, and booking spontaneous trips (31:00) Grief, loss, and remembering people are hurting silently (33:00) Teaching empathy to your kids through small actions (34:00) Why gratitude hits harder after you cry (35:00) A new podcast idea: talking to random people about what they’re going through (36:00) Suicide awareness and how often “the signs” don’t show (38:00) Why men need more spaces to talk about what’s real (39:00) Reconsidering what Two Dads in Tech could become (40:00) Closing reflections: impact, purpose, and what comes next

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 Links: • Daniel Berk's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk • Troy Munson's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson • Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com • Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com • Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP • Listen on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964 • Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai

Episode 45: Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson and Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk – get brutally honest about parenting, burnout, and the fine line between patience and losing it. From gentle parenting and “aggressive dad moments” to marriage dynamics, comparison culture, and raising kids in a world of fear, this episode is raw, funny, and deeply relatable. They open up about moments they’re not proud of, what keeps them grounded, and how to stay sane while raising tiny humans in the chaos of tech and modern life.

— Show Notes: (0:00) Welcome back! Gentle parenting vs. real-world parenting (0:55) The new survey: 54% of Gen Z parents say “no” to gentle parenting (2:10) Defining “gentle,” “aggressive,” and everything in between (5:00) Boiling points: when you have to step away before losing it (7:00) Sleepless nights, toddler chaos, and the mental toll on parents (10:00) The car scream test: surviving newborn cries while driving (12:15) Why people without kids will never really get it (13:00) Love Is Blind, attraction, and the psychology of relationships (17:00) Can emotional connection create physical attraction? (20:30) Building your “utopia” – what stays, what goes, and what drives you nuts (24:00) Irrational anger: Costco aisle people, liberals, and slow walkers (27:00) Stubborn people and the danger of being “always right” (28:00) Biggest career regrets – leaving too early, chasing salary, starting too late (29:30) Parenting regrets – being present vs. just being there (34:00) Why tech and distraction are stealing parenting moments (36:00) Is fear driving modern parenting? (37:00) Comparison culture and social media’s impact on raising kids (39:00) Helicopter parents and kids facing the real world (40:00) Advice for struggling parents: tell someone (43:00) Dad support groups, community, and finding people who get it (44:00) Why men need to talk more about mental health (45:00) Building community without burning out (46:00) Closing thoughts: empathy, honesty, and what’s next

— Links: • Daniel Berk's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk • Troy Munson's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson • Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com • Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com • Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP • Listen on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964 • Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai

Troy Munson and Daniel Berk break down the two biggest tech revolutions of 2025 — OpenAI’s Sora 2 and Vibe Coding — and what they mean for creators, coders, and the future of work.

From AI-generated movies to apps that can build themselves from a single sentence, this episode dives into how prompting is becoming the new superpower — and why the next billion-dollar company might be written, not coded.

They also debate whether Sora will kill TikTok, whether Hollywood can survive AI, and if real human creativity still matters when machines can make everything look perfect. Between hot takes, dad jokes, and future startup ideas (including energy-efficient prompts and AI power grids), this is one of the most mind-bending Two Dads in Tech episodes yet.

If you care about AI, the future of coding, or just want to know how close we are to AGI running the world — this episode will leave your brain spinning.

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🕒 Show Notes

(0:00) Cold open – AI drama & dad banter(0:30) The Sora launch: cinematic AI videos that feel real(4:00) Will Sora replace TikTok and Instagram?(6:00) How can we tell what’s real anymore?(7:30) “The future of work is whoever writes the best prompt”(9:00) Can AI-generated media ever replace human connection?(10:10) The rise of Sora creators and AI influencers(15:00) Why AI art still needs human meaning(20:00) “We’ve already been played” – the illusion of real content online(25:00) Vibe Coding explained: building apps just by typing(27:00) The Lovable Cloud and how it kills backend engineering(29:00) The next billion-dollar idea: power grids, data centers & prompt efficiency(36:00) AI jokes, dad duties, and rapid-fire questions(39:00) “Would you fight 100 duck-sized Elon Musks?” 🦆(40:00) Wrap-up: The human side of AI, creativity, and chaos

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🔗 Links 

• Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com

• Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com

• Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8F...

• Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

• Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai

Episode 43: Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson and Daniel Berk - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk flip the script for a forward-looking episode on technology, parenting, and the moral compass of the next generation. From asking how AI will improve kids’ lives, to exploring connection in a digital-first world, to unpacking the risks of peer pressure, catfishing, and moral drift, this one spans the hopeful and the heavy. They cover everything from the metaverse and online friendships, to pediatric AI, Theranos déjà vu, and even why landscaping might be the ultimate fallback plan. Equal parts thoughtful, funny, and grounded in real dad life—this is Two Dads in Tech at their most future-focused.

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Show Notes: (0:00) Birthday wishes and flipping the script on tech’s impact (0:26) How AI could improve kids’ lives, not just harm them (1:14) From libraries to ChatGPT: what learning looks like now (3:44) Starting a business with AI—from names to logos (5:02) Connection in the age of FaceTime vs. lost letters in WWII (6:45) Troy & Daniel’s friendship—never meeting IRL but real nonetheless (8:34) Gen Z & Gen Alpha: online-first friendships and future peer groups (9:59) Why the metaverse flopped—and why AI adoption changes everything (13:12) Philosophy thought experiment: when does a chair stop being the same chair? (14:45) Catfishing, self-presentation, and versions of “you” in different settings (17:23) Skateboarding, peer pressure, and the dangers of belonging (19:27) What will peer pressure look like in 2035? (21:29) Shifting moral compasses and the speed of social change (23:14) Parenting kids’ moral compasses in a dark internet age (25:28) The art of disconnecting—detachment, Opal app, and phone blocking (27:58) Tech backlash: will kids rebel against laptops like we rebelled against books? (33:09) AI in pediatric health care: opportunities and risks (37:04) Theranos: fraud, prison, and was it just before its time? (39:22) AI agents, automation, and the future of work (40:47) Landscaping as the ultimate fallback career (42:45) Half marathons, training advice, and running apps (43:53) Shoutout to Momentous: protein, collagen peptides, recovery (44:35) Tango AI: automating sales workflows and end-of-quarter grind (45:15) Parenting solo: Troy’s weekend with both kids (46:06) DoorDash tiramisu and late-night dad wins (46:41) Wrapping up, gratitude, and looking ahead to 52 episodes

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Links: • Daniel Berk's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk • Troy Munson's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson • Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com • Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com • Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP • Listen on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964 • Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai

Troy Munson and Daniel Berk return for a raw, funny, and surprisingly insightful episode of Two Dads in Tech. From getting scammed on Hamilton tickets in Chicago, to the hilarious reality of dad staches, public restrooms, and dude wipes, to viral investing tweets and whether copying politicians on Robinhood is genius or insane this one is packed with unfiltered stories.

They dive into fatherhood chaos, marathon training woes, poker-playing brothers in Vegas, and even how AI can now write bedtime stories for your kids in seconds. It’s a mix of tech, parenting, investing, and the everyday awkward truths of being a dad in 2025.

Equal parts comedy, tech banter, and dad-life honesty, this episode takes you from Wall Street apps to bathroom etiquette without missing a beat.

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Show Notes:

(0:00) Cold open: birthdays, banter & Momentous sponsor plug(2:10) Dad stache debates & Chicago shoutouts(5:02) The $3,000 Hamilton ticket scam story(7:30) Dude wipes, bidets, and why America’s bathrooms are gross(10:30) Shoes in the house & hardwood floors problem(14:05) Viral Robinhood tweet: copying politicians’ investments(15:40) Nvidia, Tesla, Fiverr, and the AI investing dilemma(18:25) GameStop nostalgia & RadioShack’s viral moment(18:32) Marathon training, injuries, and overpriced races(22:00) Oracle, TikTok, and tech billionaires reshaping the world(25:02) AI bedtime stories for kids & parenting hacks(27:00) Dad life updates: toddlers, big appetites, and family chaos(28:14) Brothers, poker in Vegas, and generational gaps(30:00) Raw wrap-up: no cuts, just real

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Links: 

• Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com

• Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com

• Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8F...

• Listen on Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

• Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai

Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson and Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk return for one of the rawest Two Dads in Tech episodes yet. From the shock of watching traumatic world events unfold online, to the weight of polarization in America, to the very real personal cost of chasing success—this conversation pulls no punches. They dig into trauma, health, equity, time management, and even the eerie possibilities of digitizing human consciousness. Equal parts heavy, honest, and hopeful, it’s a look at fatherhood, tech, and mental health when the world feels upside down.

— Show Notes: (0:00) Cold open: “I quit” and starting mid-conversation (0:22) Banter, birthdays, and shoutouts (1:50) Processing a heavy week in America (3:10) Polarization, faith, and feeling unsafe (5:01) Why this week “happened to me” vs. just the world (6:14) Accidentally watching traumatic videos online (7:23) Real-life trauma flashbacks and PTSD triggers (8:43) Collective group-mind reactions and viral responses (10:03) Polarization: saint or devil narratives (10:34) V for Vendetta, movements, and amplified voices (12:28) History lens: superpowers, cycles, and U.S. division (14:08) Why America has never been fully “united” (16:07) Are we a healthy country? Defining the terms (17:27) Humans are becoming less healthy, not more (19:06) Knowledge is power—and apathy (21:23) Inequity, access, and why Flint still matters (23:13) The personal cost of chasing success (25:12) Fatherhood pressure not to miss moments (26:12) Mental health sacrifices for startup grind (28:09) Why yoga, prayer, and “wasting time” are life hacks (29:31) Time management, Elon’s 5-minute rule, and wasted blocks (31:22) Why consistency beats bursts of productivity (32:23) Cryogenics, ethics, and digitizing consciousness (34:12) Coping vs. reality when recreating loved ones digitally (35:45) Movie recs: Goosebumps and Transcendence (36:02) Sponsor Momentous: protein, creatine, collagen peptides (37:07) Wrapping up: why this episode may have more nuggets than most

— Links: • Daniel Berk's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk

• Troy Munson's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson

• Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com

• Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com

• Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP

• Listen on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964

• Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai

Hit the big 4-0 of Two Dads in Tech. Ten months, 40 episodes, countless lessons—and now, some raw reflection. From protein-packed mornings and fitness shifts, to startup pivots, ego battles, and redefining what “success” really looks like, this one is equal parts candid founder therapy and dad-life download. Troy opens up on shutting down big ideas, shifting Demo from software to services, and why chasing balance matters more than chasing hype. Daniel presses on the real questions: where is the pod falling short, what keeps founders up at night, and how do you balance growth with family? Whether you’re a SaaS builder, services hustler, or parent trying to keep perspective, this milestone episode is packed with insight, laughs, and hard-earned truth.

Show Notes:
(0:00) Episode 40 milestone intro & community shoutout
(2:00) Troy’s 200g protein smoothie hack & fitness rituals
(4:10) Is comparison really the thief of joy?
(6:00) Reflecting on 10 months and 40 episodes of podcasting
(6:30) Where are we falling short? Guests, learning, and entertainment balance
(7:20) The pivot at Demo: from “YouTube for software” to services model
(11:20) 80 conversations, no product-market fit, and killing the idea
(13:00) Is software still “sexy” or is it all about services now?
(17:00) What energizes vs. what drains a founder
(20:00) Ego, fear of failure, and struggling behind the scenes
(21:30) Why billionaires regret missing family time—and how dads in tech stay present
(24:00) Hard lessons in hiring, marketing, and setting KPIs
(27:00) Busting myths about hustle culture vs. 9-to-5 balance
(31:00) The reality of B2B marketplaces, procurement, and tech stacks
(35:00) Becoming a reseller & services-first founder
(38:00) Why services solve pain instantly compared to software
(41:00) Lawn care wars, mowing misery & the “dad badge” of green grass
(43:00) Troy’s shift from bodybuilding to Metabolic training & chasing longevity
(46:00) Signing up for a half-marathon without training
(47:30) Health risks, ignoring doctors, and embracing vulnerability
(49:00) Wrapping 40 episodes—what’s next for Two Dads in Tech

Links:
• Daniel Berk’s LinkedIn –   / danielberk 

• Troy Munson’s LinkedIn –   / troymunson 

• Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – htt...

Episode 39: Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson – and Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk – sit down with Scott Leese – https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottleese – for one of the rawest and most vulnerable conversations yet. From surviving nine surgeries and an opioid addiction, to building billion-dollar startups and walking away from easy LinkedIn money, Scott opens up about resilience, authenticity, and the grind of sales. This episode dives into chronic pain, consulting truths, fatherhood fears, and why balance is harder—and more important—than ever. Equal parts battle story and blueprint, it’s a must-listen for anyone chasing success without losing themselves along the way.

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Show Notes: (0:00) WWE-style intro for Scott Leese (2:24) Breaking down his consulting scope: sales, ops, recruiting, coaching (6:09) Authenticity on LinkedIn and walking away from thousands per post (9:38) Protecting reputation before money changes who you are (12:00) Scott’s hospital years: autoimmune disease, surgeries, and survival (14:27) Opioid addiction and going cold turkey at 27 (16:16) From near death to sales: why startups were his lifeline (20:29) PTSD, chronic pain, and the fear of leaving kids fatherless (22:10) Fatherhood, health scares, and changing priorities (25:13) Cold plunges, saunas, and 41 food allergies (27:00) Grounding rituals and staying even-keeled in business (33:17) Consulting truths: urgency, feedback, and big-market bets (39:01) The unicorn that gave him freedom to go solo (41:20) Lessons he wishes he’d learned earlier about aiming bigger (42:58) Feeling “almost accomplished” and launching a landscaping biz (44:33) The comparison trap, stoicism, and keeping perspective (46:16) Biggest advice: shrink the delta between idea and action (48:04) How much is a LinkedIn account really worth? (50:57) Instagram success: $300K in consulting from a new channel

— Links: • Scott Leese’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottleese • Daniel Berk’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk • Troy Munson’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson • Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com • Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com • Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP • Listen on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964 • Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai