Nerds On Tap

AI is everywhere right now, but most small business owners are stuck between two extremes: fear that AI will replace their team or ignoring it completely as overhyped tech. In this episode, we take a smarter, practical approach and treat AI as a fast intern that can accelerate your work while you stay in control of the final decisions. Joined by Brian Wilkey, VP and COO of Digital Boardwalk, we br...

AI isn’t a lightning bolt from nowhere; it’s the latest step in a long line of curve jumps that started with the PC and accelerated with the internet, broadband, and cloud. We sit down with Technical Escalations Manager Jimmy Guest to unpack what’s genuinely useful about AI today, where it’s overhyped, and how the next five years might make intelligence feel as ordinary as Wi‑Fi. If you’ve wondere...

Technology has transformed from a necessary evil to a strategic business driver, and nowhere is this more evident than in the managed IT services industry. In this candid conversation with Kathleen Shoop, Chief Revenue Officer at Digital Boardwalk, we explore the dramatic evolution of IT sales over the past decade. Remember when selling managed IT services meant convincing skeptical business owner...

What does it take for a teenage creator to build a YouTube audience from scratch? Discover the remarkable journey of Tory, a young content creator who secretly launched her channel less than a year ago and recently celebrated hitting 1,000 subscribers. Tory's story begins with filming room tours on an iPad and nervously revealing her secret channel to her parents a week later. Rather than fac...

What happens when the barrier between human thought and technology disappears? In this mind-bending episode, we're joined by Digital Boardwalk's escalations engineer Damien Howell to explore the frontiers of future technology that could fundamentally reshape humanity. We dive headfirst into brain-computer interfaces and their revolutionary potential to eliminate physical devices altogeth...

Ever wondered how a chance encounter in Alabama could lead to the bustling streets of Hollywood? KeriAnne Dawson, founder and director of the Actors' Den, shares her incredible journey from the modeling world to becoming a seasoned SAG-AFTRA member. Her story starts with a unique blend of serendipity and sheer determination, capturing the essence of risk-taking and relentless drive. Alongside...

What if the key to transforming your business community is through leadership and mentorship? Find out as we welcome Katie Ballard, Executive Director at the Studer Community Institute, and Kara Dieck, Program Manager of SCI's Building Jobs Program. Katie shares her inspiring journey from Indianapolis to Pensacola, driven by her passion for nonprofit management and community enrichment. Meanw...

Ever wondered how sailing can teach you to be a better leader? Join us as we chat with Rachael Gillette, president of VMG Solutions, who takes us on a journey from the high seas to high-level business strategy. With over two decades of leadership experience, Rachael reveals how principles like "Velocity Made Good" from her sailing adventures shape effective business practices. Her thrill...

Ever wonder if repurposing old hardware could skyrocket your tech skills and revolutionize your home network? This episode promises to transform your understanding of home labs and DIY tech setups with our special guest, Colby Sullivan, a Senior Implementations Engineer at Digital Boardwalk. Colby takes us on a nostalgic journey, from his first experiences with Windows Home Server in the mid-2000s...

What if you could transform the way we handle rent payments and real estate transactions forever? Join us on Nerds on Tech as we sit down with Andrew Borovsky, the mastermind behind Rent App and a veteran product designer with experience at Cash App, Apple, and Adobe. Andrew takes us on a fascinating journey through his distinguished career, sharing the motivations and challenges that have fueled...

Welcome to another exciting episode of Nerds On Tap! This time, we're diving into the captivating world of virtual currency in gaming, a topic that's become increasingly relevant for parents and gamers. We start with a story that sparked this discussion, exploring how virtual currencies work in popular games like Fortnite and Roblox. We also look at the growth of Live Service Games and t...

What if wireless electricity could revolutionize the way we live? Join me, Tim Shoop, and our special guest, Sam the IT guy, as we explore this groundbreaking concept in our thrilling episode of Nerds on Tap. We kick things off with a taste test of Hofbrau Original Helles-style beer, sharing our unfiltered impressions before diving into the electrifying topic of the day. Together, we unravel the i...

When life throws you a curveball, you improvise—just like we did when my nephew Jared Shoop, usually the man behind the curtain of 'Nerds On Tap,' took the hot seat for a riveting exchange that was anything but planned. The episode transmutes into an unexpected brew of laughter and trivia, as Jared conquers his camera shyness and reveals his face for the first time to our audience. Our s...

On this special International Women's Day episode, we are honored to have Josie Keck join us from Open Text. Josie doesn't just bring her expertise in tech; she brings stories that resonate with the heart of every listener. Our conversation today weaves through the vibrant threads of diversity and inclusion in the tech world, stories of passion-fueled advancement, and the absolute necess...

Josie Keck, a cybersecurity trailblazer from Open Text, joins us to uncork a celebration of her nine-year journey, and it's an episode brimming with insights and reflections. We crack open the complexities of being a woman in tech, acknowledging the barriers Josie's crushed along the way. Her story is more than just a tale of personal triumph; it's a beacon for diversity and inclusi...

Have you ever envisioned a seamless transition from a dream of managing a gym to mastering the finance industry? Listen as we join Andrew Martin of Atlas Financial Strategies on that very journey, navigating his transition and discussing the vital need for financial literacy. Over a few cold ones, including the Tate's Hell German-style lager, we unpack the joy found in equipping others with t...

Unlock the mysteries of digital marketing as we share a virtual roundtable with Kina Robinett and Shelby Payne from SmarterWeb. These two dynamos take the mic to narrate their individual journeys—Kina from a childhood steeped in web design fascination to a titan of SMB online growth, and Shelby from a Chick-fil-A mascot to a digital designer. You'll get a front-row seat to the magic of their...

Grab a pint and pull up a chair as we toast to the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity with Digital Boardwalk's very own CTO, James. His 14-year saga at the forefront of IT innovation isn't just a thrilling tale of technology triumphs, it's a roadmap for businesses navigating the treacherous terrain of cyber threats. We share a beer and swap stories, from James's tech-tinged c...

From the deck of a Navy ship to the heat of a bustling kitchen, Geo Zelaya's journey isn't your everyday culinary tale. Grab a seat at our table on Nerds On Tap as we savor the flavors of his authentic Latin cuisine and discover how Tacos El Fluffy came to be a community staple. Geo's story is a testament to the power of passion and innovation, and he's serving up insights on h...

Get ready to be captivated by the entrepreneurial journey of Harald Lavric, a business consultant who crossed seas from Germany to the U.S. to establish his own venture. Harald's stories of triumph and lessons learned from the challenging yet rewarding path of business ownership will provide you with practical tools and insights. We also get a taste of his German roots as we sample traditiona...

Join us for an enlightening episode with Jessica Duncan, an award-winning Pensacola real estate expert, as we savor some craft brews. Explore the Pensacola real estate market, understanding the impact of COVID-19, finance laws, and how AI and technology are reshaping the buying and selling process. Jessica sheds light on navigating the market, especially with the constraints of discussing school s...

Tune into Part 2 of our enlightening series on Nerds On Tap featuring Steve Wilmer, who journeyed from the projects of Pensacola to becoming a renowned motivational speaker and author. In this captivating continuation, Steve opens up about his path to public speaking, starting with an unexpected break that catapulted him into professional engagements. He also unveils the ins and outs of self-publi...

Join us for Part 1 of a captivating two-part series, as we delve into the compelling journey of Steve Wilmer, who rose from the projects of Pensacola to become a thriving entrepreneur. Drawing from his time in the Marine Corps, law enforcement, and his successes at State Farm, Steve shares insights on embracing challenges, the transformative power of stepping outside one's comfort zone, and t...

Dive into a nostalgic tech journey with "Nerds On Tap" and special guest, Jimmy Guest, as we traverse the golden era of 80s and 90s gaming and technology. From the enchanting arcades and the charming Commodore 64 to the pioneering days of PCs and video conferencing, we’ll explore the evolutionary steps and discover how they influenced today’s Digital Boardwalk, where Jimmy presently cont...

Join us as we dive into the adventures of Jeff Deren: an Iowa native turned global traveler and ad tech guru. From captivating tales of his journeys across continents to the intricate world of online advertising with Assertive Yield, Jeff promises a whirlwind of insights and anecdotes. As we journey from the heart of ad tech intricacies to adrenaline-packed gator hunts in Florida and reflections o...