Techlandia

Amber Case delves into her journey of studying Calm Technology, beginning with her interest in cyborg anthropology and evolving through research on user behavior changes with emerging tech. She highlights the significance of designing technology that accommodates human attention spans, rather than overwhelming them. The discussion touches on the history of technology design philosophy, juxtaposing principles from the mid-90s with today's fast-paced tech environment. Her work emphasizes that a successful technology integrates calmly into life, akin to familiar household items, rather than demanding constant focus, ultimately supporting human cognition and cultural evolution.

In this episode of Techlandia, host Skip Newberry converses with Ken Myers from All Tech, exploring his diverse career in the tech industry. Myer with a history at IBM, discusses his transition to teaching leadership at the University of Washington and his involvement in health trusts. He describes how these trusts can provide small tech companies access to quality health insurance by leveraging collective bargaining. He also delves into the evolution of tech associations, highlighting efforts to transition from software-centric approaches to embracing broader tech industry players.

In this podcast episode, Kate Cockrill discusses the future of work in the age of AI with Teresa Coates, CEO and co-founder of Learn Air. Coates emphasizes the importance of blending human intelligence with artificial intelligence to create AI-ready workforces. She highlights the shifting dynamics in leadership, focusing on the need for leaders to understand AI capabilities and limitations. The conversation delves into the necessity of change management techniques to foster AI adoption and the redistribution of power within organizations. Coates outlines a strategic approach to AI integration, advocating for simultaneous top-down and bottom-up adoption across all company levels.

In this podcast episode of Humans of Techlandia, host Kate Cockrill talks with April Rinne a global advisor and futurist. Rinne discusses her book 'Eight Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change.' They delve into Rinne's personal journey, including a pivotal moment in her life when both of her parents died in a car crash while she was studying overseas. This life-altering event shaped her understanding of change and adaptation. Rinne emphasizes the importance of relationships and resourcefulness in navigating life's uncertainties, offering insights relevant for both individuals and leaders navigating the evolving technological landscape.

The podcast episode features an in-depth discussion on the Great Transformation event, which focuses on the critical intersection of AI, data centers, and energy innovation in Oregon. Robert Cross and Skip Newberry examine the region's competitive advantages, such as its collaborative spirit and wealth of talent across various sectors, including finance and tech. They emphasize the need for breaking down silos to foster investment and innovation, positioning Oregon as a potential global leader in energy transition efforts. The episode underscores the importance of in-person collaboration to tackle the technical and economic challenges posed by modern energy demands.

In this podcast transcript from Humans of Techlandia, guest Kathrine Giacchino discusses the intersection of technology, strategy, and people. As a leader in people management, she emphasizes the importance of communication and structure in fostering creativity and innovation within organizations. Giacchino shares insights on how companies can better support their teams during transitions by maintaining transparency and modeling desired behaviors. The conversation highlights the need for consistent communication and the importance of understanding individual responses to change to navigate the uncertainties in the rapidly evolving tech environment.

In this podcast episode, Michael Markesbery, CEO of SolarCore, shares his journey from a college student backpacking in Europe to developing revolutionary insulation technology. Inspired by a personal challenge to stay warm while cutting bulk, he delved into insulation solutions across various industries. The key innovation, SolarCore Foam, uses aerogel to provide superior insulation. From consumer goods to tactical military shelters, SolarCore is making significant strides. Their relocation to Portland leverages local talent and proximity to outdoor apparel giants, while their work with the DoD on energy-efficient tactical shelters highlights their growing impact.

In a recent podcast discussion, Brooks Gilley, founder of 52 Limited, explores the shifting dynamics in the tech job market. As someone who has witnessed multiple economic cycles, he provides insights into the unprecedented rate of change we've experienced in recent years, particularly post-COVID. Gilley highlights the significant shift in employer and employee power dynamics, driven by economic, technological, and cultural shifts. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a mindset open to reinvention, helping clients navigate career transitions with agility and positive resilience, while acknowledging the psychological challenges professionals face during these rapid changes.

In this podcast episode, Nicole Schmidt, CEO and founder of Source, shares her professional journey in the construction industry. She explains the genesis of Source, a company focused on simplifying the construction supply chain. Schmidt discusses the industry's systemic issues from her experiences on both the design and supply sides. With a mission to bring transparency and efficiency, Source aims to streamline the decision-making process in construction projects. Nicole provides insights on how her team learned to balance technological innovation with client needs, and reveals the importance of receiving and processing feedback for business growth.

In this episode of Techlandia, Skip Newberry talks with Kabir Bhatia, co-founder of Hello Every Day, about his journey from a background in engineering and finance to entrepreneurial success. Bhatia shares personal experiences that motivated him to create solutions for seniors aging in place. His company focuses on providing intuitive, single-purpose devices that help seniors maintain connections and live independently. Despite facing industry challenges, like evolving healthcare regulations and the impacts of the pandemic, Hello Every Day is committed to improving the lives of seniors with technology that they can easily use.

In this episode of Techlandia TAO's podcast series, Skip Newberry speaks with Greg Davis, the founder of Overwatch Imaging, about his professional journey in the drone technology industry. Greg shares insights on how his experiences at NASA and other aerospace firms led to the founding of Overwatch Imaging. The discussion covers the company's focus on autonomous systems and their applications in emergency management and defense, especially with respect to wildfire and maritime domain awareness. Greg Davis emphasizes the significance of community and innovation in shaping the future of technology.

Skip Newberry and Shane Tews discuss the intricate dynamics between technology, policy, and legislation. Shane, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, shares her journey from an intern in Washington D.C. to a policy expert. They reflect on the outdated nature of analog laws in a digital world and the importance of enforcing existing regulations. The conversation highlights the challenges policymakers face in keeping up with the fast-paced tech industry, emphasizing the need for vigilance in data protection, privacy concerns, and the ever-evolving role of interoperability in technology.

In this episode, Skip Newberry interviews Brigitte Piniewski, a local physician and Web3 expert, to discuss the transformative potential of AI and blockchain in healthcare. Piniewski critiques outdated health models and envisions a future where personalized medicine thrives with data-driven insights, offering better health outcomes and economic benefits. She highlights successful examples, like Denmark's predictive health models, and emphasizes the importance of a secure digital framework for managing personal health data. The discussion explores the barriers and opportunities for adopting personalized healthcare technologies, especially in the U.S., and encourages proactive personal data management.

In the podcast episode, David Ngene discusses his unconventional journey from studying mechanical engineering to exploring design thinking at Northwestern University. His career path took him from JP Morgan to architecture and eventually to Nike, where he spent over a decade as an innovation director. At Nike, he cultivated a passion for integrating design and engineering, which motivated him to start his own company, PacSpace. David's company initially focused on creating smart backpacks with embedded RFID chips to track product provenance. However, the project evolved into developing a more extensive software solution for usage disputes and API metering issues.

In this episode of Techlandia, Dominic Perez interviews Reza Rejaie head of the computer science department at the University of Oregon. They discuss Raje's journey from electrical engineering in Iran to leading a computer science department in Eugene. Raje highlights the unique aspects of University of Oregon's approach to education, emphasizing a mix of liberal arts skills and technical expertise. A significant portion is dedicated to the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, which connects academia with industry need, providing students with real-world experience while filling a critical skills gap in the cybersecurity field.To learn more you can contact Reza at [email protected]

In this insightful podcast episode, Erik Stromquist guest hosts Adib Naslé CEO and co-founder of Xendee, to discuss the transformative impact of microgrids on the energy landscape. As global electricity demand rises, Naslé explains the role of microgrids in addressing the grid capacity crunch by offering flexible, scalable, and resilient solutions. Naslé emphasizes the importance of an integrated approach to energy generation, storage, and management, stressing how digital twins and model predictive control are revolutionizing the planning and operation of distributed energy systems. This episode takes a deep dive into how innovative technologies are shaping the future of sustainable energy.

In this insightful podcast episode, Mohan Nair discusses the dual nature of AI adoption, characterized by fear and obsession. He elaborates on the cultural and psychological impacts of AI, particularly focusing on its role in education and health. Nair emphasizes the importance of AI enablement—an approach that seeks to balance innovation with human-centered development. Drawing from his extensive experience, he sheds light on the potential cognitive challenges tied to AI, such as atrophy in young learners. His perspective encourages a middle path where businesses and individuals adopt AI responsibly and thoughtfully.

In this episode of Techlandia, Edith Dorsen shares her journey from management consulting and Wall Street to founding the Women's Venture Capital Fund. Prompted by the stark statistic that only 3% of venture capital was directed towards companies with women in senior leadership, Edith and her classmates sought to change that. The fund focuses on backing companies with gender-diverse teams at the Series A stage, demonstrating revenue traction. Through strategic investments and a focus on capital efficiency, the fund aims to overcome skepticism and show the value of diverse leadership in driving market returns.