StartEdUp Podcast

Soledad O'Brien is an award winning journalist with a reputation for being tough, fair, and factual. So it was no surprise when she candidly talked about politics, truthful reporting, the changing culture of "truth," and why some of this "political correctness" has been helpful in changing the tide of inappropriate behavior. We also get into what role educators play in this divided media landscape. *This is a re-release from 5 years ago. Thus some of the news references are dated.

Lauren Prager is the Chief Strategy Officer for Synapse Florida. Her career has centered around building community through cultivating personal connections. Lauren spent more than a decade working in and around Washington, D.C. as a lobbyist, educator and community organizer building bipartisan support for foreign policy issues. She joined Synapse as a volunteer to support the inaugural Synapse Summit in 2018, where more than 3,000 people came together to celebrate and connect around Florida’s innovation community. She helps to lead Synapse’s expansion to create opportunities that showcase Florida’s diverse innovation talent, facilitating meaningful and intentional connections. Synapse Florida creates opportunities to celebrate, discover and engage with Florida’s dynamic innovation community. Each year they host the Sunshine State’s premier innovation event, the Synapse Summit, connecting thousands of Florida’s innovation leaders from diverse industries, technologies and communities. You’re invited to learn more at www.synapsefl.com, and join us at Synapse Summit 2023 on Tuesday, February 14, in Tampa, Florida. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-slawsky-prager/ Twitter @lsprager [email protected]

Avantis has just launched "The Eduverse" – a ground-breaking new online platform that gives students access to a K-12 metaverse. In the Eduverse, students can access immersive, educational content and amazing VR experiences. They can interact with each other as avatars, all in a secure and controlled environment, inside and outside of the classroom. In this episode, Chris Klein- head of education North America discusses how this web-based tool, which can be accessed on any device, including laptops, Chromebooks, tablets, phones, and VR headsets, including Avantis’ ClassVR headsets, and Google Expeditions kits. Teachers can also use interactive whiteboards or interactive flat-panel displays to allow an entire class to experience the same content without requiring 1:1 devices or VR headsets. Eduverse is free to teachers, they can simply log-in using their existing single sign-on accounts (e.g. Microsoft & Google) and can immediately access a range of virtual reality content including Eduverse Expeditions, which teachers can use to take students on virtual field trips and collaborate with them in real time as avatars. Also available in Eduverse is Avantis World, the world’s first educational VR theme park, with hundreds of explorable curriculum virtual experiences. For more information about Eduverse, visit http://www.eduverse.com.

Blake Hall is the founder and CEO of id.me- but he is also an Army Ranger and knows a thing or two about critical missions. In this interview we talk about cyber warfare, identity theft, and the future of social media (and social media bots and trolls). Moreover, we get into how ID.me is saving US businesses and our Government literally billions in anti-fraud measures. You can follow Blake on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hallblake/

Jason Calacanis is a tech entrepreneur, angel investor, and author. However, his two podcasts: "This Week in Startups" and "The All- In" podcast have gained a lot of notoriety. In fact, this interview aired in 2017 and we really talked a lot about education, and how young people could get a practical education by working for a startup. So when I caught the All-In podcast two weeks ago, I was happy that Jason was talking about the value of a college education. I remembered this great interview and wanted to re-post it, as is a includes very informative, practical advice.

Devin is another co-founder and the current Chief Executive Officer of Kennected - an Indy-based SaaS company with over 16,000 users. He is a serial entrepreneur, an inspiring leader, and an adept marketer. In this episode we dig into how flipping shoes started a passion of entrepreneurship, and the urgency of success to help his sister get cancer treatment meant he had to succeed- now. As the CEO of Kennected, Devin directs the daily workflow and is responsible for the overall success of over 100 employees. His leadership led to Kennected being a recipient of the coveted Mira award - for technological innovation. His vision is to build a world where people value relationships even more than money; where people feel inspired to help their fellow business professionals each and every day. This vision has directly led to Kennected being voted a “Top Place to Work” in Indianapolis. Devin’s employees see him as an inspirational and empathetic thought leader who always maintains both a positive work environment and a culture of hard work, thoughtfulness, and understanding. He always leads by example - bringing out the absolute best in others. Devin Johnson’s Why Video LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadflow/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/devinallenjohnson/

Dr. Jose Moray is one of the most accomplished persons I've interviewed. His passion to help serves others centers around his intense curiosity to not just learn, but find ways to help others. His bio reads like a Nobel Prize winner, and his drive matches. From his website (drjosemorey.com): CEO and Founder of Ad Astra Media LLC; providing role models and educational STEAM content to encourage more diversity in STEAM related fields. He is the Chief Medical Officer for Ever Medical, an Eisenhower Fellow with the 2020/2021 ZHI-XING Fellows Program and is a health and technology keynote speaker, author and a consultant for NASA, Forbes, MIT and the White House Office of Science and Technology. He is considered a leader in exponential technology innovation and excels at leading multidisciplinary teams that sit at the epicenter of biotechnology, AI, and aerospace. He is considered the first Intergalactic Doctor and is often featured on Forbes, Univision, CNBC and NASA360. His latest essay “The Future Shock of Medicine: How AI will Transform Disease, Death and Doctors” was recently reviewed by The Wall Street Journal along with other contributions by contemporary thought leaders. He serves as a technology and business advisor for MIT, NASA, UVA, African Innovation Alliance, US-Polish Alliance for Innovation and has served as special envoy to the Polish Space Agency. As Chief Engineering Council in charge of Innovation for Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, he directs international engineering teams in technology and intellectual property development.

Jacques M. Jean is the Founder & CEO of TechFides, and I met him at the Festival of the Diaspora. Jacques is an accomplished business professional with over 20 years of experience in planning and implementing global technology strategies. Prior to forming TechFides, Jacques held an executive position where he served as an IT Business Stakeholder for the $4B IT Division of Schneider Electric Company where he led and championed driving their IT strategy and project-related portfolios. Earlier in his Schneider tenure, Mr. Jean also led the development and implementation of the IT engagement strategy for their $7B dollar Industrial Automation division. Prior to joining Invensys, Jacques spearheaded the Value-Based Planning group at Honeywell International, where he collaborated with all business unit CIOs, optimized the IT infrastructure services, and minimized overhead and costs. Jacques also served as the IT Six Sigma Leader in Latin America for Honeywell Corporate, responsible for Regional Program Management and Six Sigma deployments across Latin America and the Caribbean. Jacques began his career as an IT Security Policy Business Analyst with AlliedSignal. Earlier in his Schneider tenure, Mr. Jean also led the development and implementation of the IT engagement strategy for their $7B dollar Industrial Automation division. Prior to joining Invensys, Jacques was the IT leader for the Honeywell CPG business in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Jacques also spearheaded the Value-Based Planning group at Honeywell International, where he collaborated with all business unit CIOs, optimized the IT infrastructure services, and minimized overhead and costs. Jacques also served as the IT Six Sigma Leader in Latin America for Honeywell Corporate, responsible for Regional Program Management and Six Sigma deployments across Latin America and the Caribbean. Jacques began his career as an IT Security Policy Business Analyst with AlliedSignal. Jacques is a member of the Executive Advisory Board for Tartan Advisory Partners. Jacques is also a philanthropist with three libraries under his belt across the northern side of Haiti. Jacques’ academic credentials include earning a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University and furthering his studies with an Executive Program in Business Marketing Strategy from Harvard Business School and an Executive Program in LEAD to Impact from the University of North Carolina KenanFlagler Business School with the Schneider Electric Executive Corporate Leadership program in Budapest. Jacques also holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from la Universidad de Guadalajara in Mexico. Jacques is fluent in many languages such as Creole, French, Spanish, English, and some Portuguese.

Cordell Carter is brings 20 years of experience to his leadership of the Aspen Institute Socrates Program, a global education forum for leaders and Expectant Advisory, a privately-held leadership consultancy. He also is the catalyst behind the Festival of the Diaspora. This podcast is a three part series each Wednesday about the Festival. I was so impressed by the festival and everyone that brought ideas and a mindset, focusing on possibilities. Fore more information go to: https://festivalofthediaspora.org/

Andrea Pontremoli is the CEO and General Manager of Dallara Motorsports in what is known as the "Italian Motor Valley." His passion for racing and innovation is what has driven this company to be the innovation fuel for top brands and collaborators like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, among others. For more information about Dallara, go to: https://www.dallara.it/en

Dallara is a company that powers the most famous brands in the world: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, Ducati, Maserati- just to name a few! So it was with great anticipation to kick off a relationship with this amazing company as we will be hosting college students to go over to Italy and collaborate with some iconic brands!

Dreamer, Disruptor, and Creator. Ashley is on a mission to create a company that gives busy women valuable time back in their day for the people and projects that matter most. She has built MySherri to be a premium, boutique in-home management company that employs and deploys an excellent in-home workforce. She helps women normalize getting support in the home while reducing the guilt and shame associated with asking for help. Ashley’s experience with food and housing insecurity as a child propels her to ensure that her team is empowered to achieve their own balance by offering a true living wage, paid time off, benefits, extensive training, and professional development opportunities. Prior to founding MySherri, Ashley was a physician that gained a profound understanding of what it means to need balance. Whether it be in medicine or business, Ashley has changed the lives of many by bringing authenticity and passion to every conversation. A huge fan of real conversation and connection, she is always interested in engaging in meaningful relationships built on the foundation of making the world around us better.

In this episode author Jimmy Soni not only discusses his new book, The Founders, but he also goes into the "DNA" of the legendary founders of PayPal. Names like Elon, Peter Thiel, Max Levchin, David Sacks, and Reid Hoffman certainly draw attention, but the behind-the-scenes people that make it happen are given credit. We also go into ecosystems like Silicon Valley and how these innovation and entrepreneurial mindsets can be brought into more classrooms. Lastly, Jimmy recalls his favorite teacher who inspired him to write his book! In fact, he wants to hear from you! Please tag me on Twitter or LinkedIn @donwettrick and nominate YOUR favorite teacher. We will pick a winner and send you AND your favorite teacher Jimmy's new book! https://jimmysoni.com/about/

Johnny Crowder is a 29-year-old suicide/abuse survivor, TEDx speaker, touring musician, mental health and sobriety advocate, and the Founder & CEO of Cope Notes, a text-based mental health platform that provides daily support to users in nearly 100 countries around the world. Armed with 10 years of clinical treatment, a psychology degree from the University of Central Florida, and a decade of peer support and public advocacy through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Johnny’s youthful vigor for mental health has impacted millions of lives across the globe. Since his first keynote in 2011, Johnny's refreshingly candid perspective has attracted praise from hundreds of outlets, including Upworthy, CNN, and Forbes. Even when commanding a virtual stage or touring with his metal band, Prison, his infectious positivity and firsthand experience with multiple mental illnesses (ranging from bipolar disorder and OCD to schizophrenia) uniquely equip him to provide realistic, yet hopeful insight into the pains of hardship with authenticity, levity, and unconventional wit. Watch his TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56Zb_TLhPOw&feature=youtu.be

Tracy Bullock brings over 30 years of business development experience at Procter & Gamble to her Sandler Training business. She builds and delivers Sandler professional development programs in Leadership, Management, Sales, and Customer Service for companies of all sizes. In this Podcast, Tracy touches on: The 5 E’s of Leadership: Envision, Enable, Engage, Execute, and Energize Communications Styles – action vs. reaction ‘No Judgement Zones’ as an academic class! Tracy was awarded Outstanding Woman in Business in 2019 by the Phoenix Business Journal. She has served on the Board of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, and currently serves on the boards of both PIVIUM and Project 2121

In 2017, Vivian Shen founded Juni Learning, an online education platform for 7-18 year olds, to be the educational opportunity she wished she had growing up. As a kid, Vivian had an interest in courses her school didn’t offer. When learning to code, Vivian remembers feeling insecure and learned best in personalized settings compared to lecture style. Through Juni Learning, Vivian is on a mission to provide students access to 1:1 teaching to ignite a passion for learning among all students – regardless of their interests and learning styles. For more info: Website: www.junilearning.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/junilearning/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuniLearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/juni-learning/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/vivianmshen Vivian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivianmshen/

Devin Butler is the Founder & CEO of Arizona Entrepreneurs, a community created to help entrepreneurs build genuine business relationships and get access to key resources to assist them in growing their business. In this episode we talk about community, collaboration, and fellowship. You can learn more (and connect with Devin) at: https://arizonaentrepreneurs.com/

Tracy Bradshaw is the Executive Director of YESCarolina- a nonprofit that provides curriculum and pitch competition for South Carolina's high school students. In this episode you will learn how YESCarolina got started, but also the impact it is having on the students AND the state. Learn more at: https://www.yescarolina.com/ From the website: YESCarolina is changing our communities for the better by giving students a hand up. Check out our teacher training, teacher certification, business plan competitions, camps, and scholarship opportunities! We are helping students find financial freedom in high school by learning to create their own businesses. YEScarolina trains SC teachers to use our curriculum, created by teachers for teachers, that inspires young people and engages them in real-world entrepreneurial experiences that can change their lives and impact economic development.

Kylen Granson was the typical kid- loved sports and video games. But his mom, who is a teacher, wanted her son to be an avid reader. In this episode Heather and Kylen Granson go into what sparked his love of reading, but also why reading and the discipline of reading helped Kylen thrive. We also talk about how this mother and son team started "KGs Kids," a nonprofit to get more diverse books into classrooms. Now with Indianapolis Colts, Kylen and Heather are wanting KGs kids to grow in not only Indiana, but beyond. You can find more information atbout KGs Kids here: https://kgskids.com/

In this episode, Abby and Megan share an insightful conversation with Pam Marmon: a best-selling author, speaker, and CEO. Within 15 minutes, Abby, Megan, and Pam confront the importance of incorporating change within one's entrepreneurial journey while also touching on the challenges and beauty of being your own boss. Follow Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pammarmon-change-management-consultant/ Music: Exploding Sun by King Electric Listen on Soundcloud: EXPLODING SUN by King Electric