Drowning In The Talent Pool

Today I welcome Andy Ellis, partner at Wild Ventures, to discuss career journeys, leadership challenges, and the essence of inclusion in the workspace.  Andy shares his unique professional path from his time at Akamai Technologies to the Air Force and beyond, offering insights into leadership and personal development.  We also explore the dynamics of hiring for startups versus established companie...

Today I am joined by Alex Chausovsky, Director of Analysis and Consulting at the Bundy Group. The discussion delves into the implications of the post-2024 election landscape on the market, including economic trends, the labor market, and industrial shifts.  Alex shares insights on his career journey from market intelligence to economic forecasting and talent strategy, emphasizing the importance of...

Today, I sat down and interviewed Norma Tirado-Kellenberger, CHRO of Access Community Health Network. We discuss the unique career transitions Norma has made across multiple C-suite roles, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, trust, and leadership.  The conversation delves into how talent management, personal relationships, and fostering a strong organizational culture have influenced her ca...

Today, I sat down with Steve Busby, founder and managing partner of Slate Point Partners and discussed the critical elements for achieving effective revenue operations in today's evolving market.  Steve emphasizes the importance of aligning company culture, processes, and technology with revenue goals. The conversation covers the role of cross-functional communication, the significance of onboardi...

Today I get to speak with Alec Lazarescu, VP of Engineering with a deep focus on conversational AI and NLP.  Alec shares his journey, from stumbling upon conversational AI at a 2016 event to creating a successful meetup group and working on AI-based messaging. We cover the current state and future potential of AI, including its limitations, practical applications, and its profound impact on both j...

Today I interviewed Yosef Haas, the Vice President of Product at ShipHero. Haas shares his journey from being a computer programmer in the early 2000s to developing advanced e-commerce and warehouse management systems.  We discuss the rapid evolution of technology, specifically the role of AI and its impact on the job market and business operations. Haas also provides insights into effective talen...

Today, I sat down with Katee LaPoff, CTO of Oak View Group. Katee shares her career journey, from humble beginnings in Texas to her current leadership role. She emphasizes the importance of community, introspection, and continuous self-improvement.  Katee recounts pivotal moments, including valuable lessons from setbacks and the influential mentorships that helped shape her path. We talk about top...

Today we talk to Stephen Diorio, Executive Vice President Growth Strategy at Green Thread, Managing Director at The Revenue Enablement Institute and Author "Revenue Operations" with profound expertise in revenue enablement and operations. This engaging discussion explores Stephen’s background, the evolving nature of job roles in the tech industry, and the increasing importance of digital skills an...

John Light talks with Sarah Brown, a marketing executive and author of 'Lead Upwards,' a book addressing the roles and challenges of joiners in startups and the VC space. Sarah shares her background and the motivation behind writing her book, emphasizing the importance of growth, learning opportunities, and building meaningful relationships in the startup ecosystem. The discussion covers a range o...

In this episode of 'Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool,' John converses with Adriana Cowdin, a notable personal branding expert, executive career coach, and entrepreneur celebrated among the top 1 percent of women's small business owners in America. They discuss the importance of overcoming adversity, the impact of personal branding in career development, and strategies for job hunting in the modern...

In this episode of 'Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool,' John Light interviews Jayme Hong, the founder and CEO of Pivodio, an ad tech messaging platform that empowers artists through micro learning by connecting them with award-winning professionals for short video message-based coaching. Starting from Jayme’s initial dream of becoming a rock star, transitioning to corporate America, and finally fou...

In this episode of 'Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool', John Light Presiden dialogues with Gus Bessalel, a serial entrepreneur and author of 'The Startup Lottery'. Gus shares his journey from a management consultant to a successful entrepreneur, highlighting the misconceptions startup employees have about equity and the complexities behind it. He explains the risk and reward dynamics in startups, a...

In this episode of 'Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool,' John Ligh interviews Brian Freeman, founder and CEO of Creator Land. They discuss the inception of Creator Land, a platform likened to LinkedIn but designed for the creative economy, addressing the unique needs of content creators, influencers, and talent managers. Freeman shares his journey from starting a female-focused dating app to pivotin...

In this episode of 'Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool,' host John Light, engages in a captivating dialogue with Nick Jane, CEO of Idea Scale. They explore Nick's unique career journey from finance in New York to leading a company born from a White House initiative. Idea Scale, termed as a CRM for ideas, serves as a platform for large organizations such as NASA, McKinsey, and Comcast to harness and...

In this episode of 'Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool,' host John Light talks with Hirbod Bigvan, a serial entrepreneur in the tech space, about the challenges and excitement of entrepreneurship, the balance between passion and discipline, and the innovative use of technology in personal development. Hirbod shares his journey from arriving in the U.S. with nothing to building successful startups. T...

In this episode of 'Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool', host John Light chats with Oli Journey, the CEO of True North Dynamics. Ole shares his journey from a computer science student to becoming a prominent figure in the tech service industry. He discusses the inception of his company, its name's origin, and the decision to split his business to better cater to the needs of its clients. Ole highlig...

In this episode of 'Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool,' host John Light interviews Julian Guthrie, the co-founder and CEO of Alphy, about their AI application Reflect AI. Julian discusses her journey from a word-obsessed child and a 20-year journalist at the San Francisco Chronicle to founding a tech startup aimed at improving communication. Reflect AI is designed to help mitigate the risk of harmf...

In this episode of 'Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool,' host John Light interviews Justin Helmig, CEO of Implan, a SaaS company specializing in economic analytics. They discuss Implan's focus on analyzing economic changes and their impacts, growth opportunities, and the critical role of talent in successful execution. With a background in growing, creating, and exiting companies in the SaaS space,...

On this episode of the Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool podcast, John Light interviews Matthew Godley, the founder and CEO of Get Spendly. Matthew shares his insights on understanding market trends and leveraging technology to address financial pressures. He highlights how Get Spendly automates finding better service offers, potentially saving up to $2500 per employee annually. Matthew also discus...

Tune in to this exciting episode of Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool, where John Light interviews Mark Abbott, the brilliant mind behind ninety.io. Explore the fascinating world of technology and humanity as Mark discusses the evolution of useful information and its impact on human connection and productivity. Discover the secrets to creating fulfilling work environments, building high-trust relat...

On this episode of Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool, host John Light interviews Dylan Robbins, founder and CEO of Lucra Sports. He discusses his company's innovative platform that allows users to engage in various sports and activities through their app. They discuss the challenges of acquiring and retaining quality tech talent, the importance of building proprietary technology, and the potential...

On this episode of 'Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool' Dave Todaro, CEO and founder of Ascendle, takes us on a thrilling journey through the tech industry. From his early fascination with technology to his groundbreaking work in software development for the construction industry, Dave shares his challenges and triumphs. He also delves into the world of artificial intelligence, discussing its applic...

In this exciting podcast episode, John Light and Tony Rhem delve into the potential of AI in industries such as healthcare, law, and finance. They discuss how AI can improve patient intake and healthcare delivery, assist lawyers in research, and aid in predictive analysis for investment decisions. The conversation also highlights the need for ethics and responsible use of AI, as well as the demand...

On this episode of Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool, John Light interviews Anna Belova, an expert in augmented reality (AR). Anna explains the differences between AR and virtual reality (VR), and shares her story of how she got to where she is today. She talks about her platform, MyWebAR.com, which allows anyone to create AR experiences without technical skills. Anna emphasizes the potential of AR...

On this episode of Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool, John Light and Gianna Driver, the CHRO of Exabeam, discuss the importance of looking for potential in candidates rather than specific experiences when hiring. They reference a study that found 82% of the time, it was soft skills that caused hires to fail. They also discuss the need for reskilling, diversity of thought, and quantifiable results o...