Becoming Radical

In this episode of Becoming Radical , Michael Gaizutis sits down with Kurt Elster—host of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast and one of the most trusted independent Shopify experts in the world. With over 500 episodes under his belt and a career working with some of the most successful Shopify brands, Kurt has built his reputation on cutting through the noise and focusing on what really drives growth....

In this episode of Becoming Radical, Michael Gaizutis chats with David Mindell, a technologist, historian, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Humatics. David’s career has taken him from deep-sea robotics to MIT research and groundbreaking industrial innovation, and he’s got some fascinating insights on how precision navigation, human–robot collaboration, and bold investment choices are shaping the fu...

In this episode of Becoming Radical , Michael Gaizutis sits down with Shep Hyken, world-renowned customer experience expert, keynote speaker, and Chief Amazement Officer of Shepard Presentations. Together, they dive into what it really takes to create unforgettable customer experiences, experiences that turn customers into loyal fans. Shep shares his journey from a 12-year-old magician writing tha...

In this episode of Becoming Radical , host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Rob Gallaher—entrepreneur, business leader, and author of Profit Sharing —to explore what it really means to build a business where everyone wins. Rob shares how fear of repeating the burnout-filled legacy of traditional business ownership led him to transform his companies through a powerful, human-centered model: profit s...

In this episode of Becoming Radical, Michael Gaizutis sits down with Rolan Reichel, co-founder of Moic.co, to talk about how AI is changing the private equity world and why mid-cap companies valued between $400 million and $1.5 billion are right in the middle of it all. Rolan shares how his journey from tech entrepreneur to growth strategist led him to create Moic.co. The company helps private equ...

In this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis speaks with Tim Peter, a veteran digital strategy consultant, about what really drives digital transformation. Tim challenges the idea that technology alone leads to success, highlighting instead the importance of adapting to changing customer behaviors, like the rise of zero-click searches. He shares lessons from decades in the industry,...

In this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis speaks with Sarah Rinehart, CEO and co-founder of Beauty Genome, a tech-powered platform that uses AI and genomics to deliver truly personalized skincare recommendations. With nearly two decades of experience across salons, editorial makeup, and medical aesthetics, Sarah brings both depth and clarity to a conversation many consumers have b...

In this episode of Becoming Radical, Michael Gaizutis sits down with Francisco Martin-Rayo, the founder of Helios AI, to talk about something we don’t often think about: how our food actually gets to us… and what happens when climate change and outdated tech threaten that process. Francisco brings a wild mix of experience: he's been in tech, imported avocados (yes, really), and even worked in...

In this episode of Becoming Radical , host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Keith Bearden, CEO of Alter Eco, a pioneer in sustainable food and ethical chocolate. With decades of leadership experience and a mission deeply rooted in environmental impact, Keith shares how he went from auditing global supply chains to owning and operating one of the most climate-forward chocolate companies in the world...

In this episode of Becoming Radical , Michael Gaizutis sits down with Alessandro Grampa,  founder of  Wholegrain Wisdom and systems thinker whose work challenges the way we view performance, leadership, and growth. Drawing from a decade-long journey through meditation, biohacking, Eastern philosophy, and energy work, Alessandro introduces a provocative thesis: much of today’s entrepreneurial outpu...

What happens when you trade Silicon Valley success for a mission to revolutionize finance in Africa? In this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Tayo Oviosu, founder and CEO of Paga, one of Africa’s leading mobile payments companies serving over 26 million users. Tayo opens up about the lightbulb moment that led him to leave behind a thriving career in the U.S. to tac...

In this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Annette Franz, CEO of CX Journey and author of Built to Win, to unpack how customer experience (CX), leadership alignment, and culture shape business success. With over 30 years of expertise, Annette offers hard-earned insights on why real transformation starts with employees, how to build customer-obsessed cultures, and the...

They say machines are only as good as the people who build them—but what if the people building them haven’t questioned the systems they live in? In this compelling episode of Becoming Radical , host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Dr. Ada Rhodes-Wish, a roboticist, systems designer, and activist whose work bridges the technical and the transformative. Together, they explore how robotics and artif...

Did you know that only about 11% of companies are leveraging AI to its full potential? In this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Sam Ransbotham, professor of analytics at Boston College and co-host of Me, Myself and AI (in partnership with MIT Sloan Management Review). From the cultural foundations that shape successful adoption to the hype vs. reality debate raging...

In this episode of Becoming Radical , host Michael Gaizutis sits down with actress, entrepreneur, and wellness advocate Sasha Pieterse to explore her bold leap from screen to startup. Best known for her role on Pretty Little Liars , Sasha opens up about the personal health struggles that led her to co-found Hippie Water, a new kind of THC beverage that's flipping the script on what it means to...

What happens when a high school history teacher turns YouTube into a global classroom? In this episode of Becoming Radical , host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Matt Beat, the creator behind the wildly popular educational YouTube channel Mr. Beat. From his early days making "cringy" videos for his students to becoming a full-time "EduTuber," Matt shares his journey of democratizing history educat...

In this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Dr. Anastasia Volkova, founder and CEO of Regrow Ag, to explore how climate technology is transforming the future of agriculture. From her roots in Ukraine to earning a PhD in drone navigation, Anastasia shares her journey and the vision behind Regrow—a company that uses satellite imagery, AI, and agronomic modeling to help...

In this episode of Becoming Radical , host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Sam Teicher, co-founder and CEO of Coral Vita, to discuss the groundbreaking work of restoring coral reefs and preserving marine ecosystems. Sam shares his journey from a passion for the ocean to leading a mission-driven startup that blends science, community, and business innovation. Sam opens up about the challenges and t...

In this episode of Becoming Radical , host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Chris Annoual, CEO of Binge Snacks, to discuss building a disruptive brand in the better-for-you snacking space. Chris shares how a personal health challenge sparked the creation of Binge Snacks, a guilt-free indulgence that blends nostalgia with clean ingredients. Chris opens up about the journey of bringing Binge Snacks t...

In this episode of Becoming Radical , host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Robin Daniels, Chief Business Officer at Zensai and former marketing leader at Salesforce, LinkedIn, and WeWork. Robin shares his incredible personal and professional journey—from growing up in Denmark to becoming a Silicon Valley exec—while offering a masterclass in leadership, learning, and human-centered business strateg...

In this episode of Becoming Radical , host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Sean Busch, founder of Purity, a plant-based cleaning brand that hit $100M in sales before being acquired, and the creator of Dad Mode. Sean shares his incredible journey of building successful brands, including the challenges, wins, and lessons he learned along the way. From listening to customers and building brand trust...

What’s the true return on investing in your people—and how do you design a workplace that’s as human as it is high-performing? In this episode of Becoming Radical , host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Steven Langer, founder and CEO of Well by Design , to uncover the transformative power of workplace wellness. Through candid conversation and real-world examples, Steven explains why taking care of...

How do you break through unconscious bias in corporate environments where it’s invisible, systemic, and unspoken? In this episode of Becoming Radical , host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Laura Flessner, founder and CEO of MindTap, to explore how neuroscience, surprise, and innovation can be the ultimate unlocks for authentic leadership and inclusive impact. Laura shares her story of being let go...

What does it mean to make truly sustainable choices in a world flooded with greenwashing?  In this episode of Becoming Radical , host Michael Gaizutis speaks with Lizzie Horvitz, the founder and CEO of Finch, a company making strides in the sustainability space. Lizzie shares how her early experiences living off the grid inspired her commitment to environmental issues. She explains Finch's mission...

Venture capital is shifting, and so is the way startups take off. Is the secret to hypergrowth really just about great products? Or is it about the people behind them? Influencers, creators, and celebrities aren’t just launching brands—they’re rewriting the rules of business. So, who’s really shaping the next wave of billion-dollar empires? In this episode of Becoming Radical , host Michael Gaizut...