Conversations with Michael Barnett

What does it take to move beyond the buzz of AI and actually make it work for your business? In this episode, Michael Barnett sits down with Dr. Anna Litvak-Hinenzon—Chief AI Product Officer, Georgetown professor, and Founder of Altech AI—to unpack how leaders can cut through the hype and turn AI into real-world results. Anna brings nearly 20 years of experience in AI strategy, product development...

What does it take to lead a company through constant uncertainty while still building great teams and attracting top talent? In this episode of Conversations with Michael Barnett, Michael sits down with Jim Urquhart, Managing Director at ZRG, to unpack the realities of today’s tech hiring market and what it means for founders, executives, and job seekers. Jim brings decades of expertise helping st...

High-performance teams don’t happen by accident—they’re built with intention. In this episode, Michael Barnett sits down with Jasmine Martirossian, Gallup-certified strengths coach and Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer at Strategy Ark, to explore how leaders can build high-performance cultures that people genuinely want to be part of. Together, they unpack why traditional management styles of...

What drives a successful endodontist to leave a 30-year career and start over in tech at 57? In this episode, Michael Barnett sits down with Dr. Pirooz Zia, founder and CEO of Unifi, to explore his bold leap from root canals to entrepreneurship. Learn how Unifi—a platform built by clinicians, for clinicians—is solving the everyday headaches of private practice by unifying services like payroll, HR...

In this episode of Conversations with Michael Barnett, Michael sits down with Thuan Nguyen, Founder & CEO of Loan Factory, to dive into what it really takes to succeed in today’s mortgage industry. Discover how relentless execution, discipline, and innovation can transform a loan officer’s career and redefine the mortgage lending experience. Thuan shares his journey of building one of the fast...

🚀 Thinking of starting a business? Already launched but feeling stuck?  In this candid and insightful episode, Loanspark CEO Michael Barnett sits down with Rebecca Engle—strategy and operations expert—to unpack the real truths behind launching and scaling a successful company. You’ll learn: ✅ When to trust your gut and just do the thing ✅ How to avoid analysis paralysis and perfection traps ✅...

In this episode of Conversations with Michael Barnett, Michael sits down with Marcell King, President & COO of Incent, a youth digital banking platform revolutionizing how kids and families build financial literacy from an early age. 💡 Marcell shares his powerful personal story—from navigating financial missteps in college to leading a mission-driven fintech helping the next generation make s...

In this episode, Michael Barnett sits down with John Jurkovich—industry veteran and Founder of the Mortgage Broker Builder—to demystify commercial lending for mortgage brokers and loan officers. Whether you're closing 2–3 loans a month or ready to scale beyond 10, this conversation uncovers the tools, mindset shifts, and niche strategies that can unlock new revenue streams. You’ll learn why c...

In this episode, Michael Barnett, Founder & CEO of Loanspark, and Jess Drislane, Founder & CEO of OpenScholar, dive into the real work of building early-stage, mission-driven companies that scale by enabling others.  They explore what it means to create partner-first platforms, why trust is the most valuable currency in growth, and how to balance speed with purpose in high-stakes environme...

In this episode of Conversations with Michael Barnett, Michael sits down with Drew Shula, Founder and CEO of Verdical Group, a sustainability consulting firm dedicated to decarbonizing the built environment by helping to create efficient, resilient, and regenerative buildings. Drew shares his inspiring journey from launching his company in a garage to building a thriving 20-person business known f...

In this episode, Michael Barnett talks with Ali Malvicino, Head of Solutions for Newline™ by Fifth Third Bank, about the transformative world of embedded finance. They explore the evolution of financial technology, from prepaid cards to API-driven banking-as-a-service platforms, and discuss how Fifth Third Bank is leading the charge with innovative solutions like the Newline platform. Discover how...

In this episode, Michael Barnett sits down with Alan Blakeborough, founder of Tax Titans, to discuss entrepreneurship, resilience, and the journey of building a disruptive SaaS platform for the accounting industry. Alan shares his unique career path, from being a competitive fencer to an Army officer, and how those experiences shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. They dive into key topics such as th...

In this episode, Michael Barnett interviews Michael Balzer, a payments industry veteran, about the evolution and future of payments. They discuss how cloud technology, open systems, and API-driven innovation have enabled startups to challenge legacy players, driving consumer-focused solutions. The conversation explores the influence of consumer behavior on payment trends, the role of trust and sec...

In this episode, Michael Barnett chats with Matt Baxter, CEO of Wedge HR, about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, from his journey starting a lawn care business to leading a successful HR tech company. They dive into the realities of burnout, the resilience required to keep going, and the importance of balancing ambition with well-being. Matt shares strategies for managing stress, focusing o...

In this episode, Michael Barnett speaks with Thorsten Seeger, an expert in the European lending market, about the evolution of embedded lending across Europe and the U.S. They dive into COVID’s role in accelerating digital acceptance, the technology gap in European banks, and the impact of embedded lending platforms like Loanspark in advancing the industry. The discussion also emphasizes the impor...

In this episode, Michael Barnett sits down with Shayan Mozaffar, CEO of 10x10Y Investments, to discuss the profound challenges and rewards of high-performance leadership. They delve into the importance of resilience, purpose-driven goals, and making conscious sacrifices for sustained success. With insights on aligning life choices with personal values, this conversation is a roadmap for aspiring l...

In this insightful episode, Michael Barnett sits down with Aditya Raikar, VP of Growth & Partnerships at Checkbook, to explore the rapidly growing space of embedded finance. Discover why embedded payments and lending are transforming the Fintech landscape, making it easier for companies to offer versatile financial services without building them from scratch. From tackling the build-vs-buy dil...

Several years ago I made a bold move...I left behind the world of working for others and set out into the wild world of entrepreneurship. Since then, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges and celebrated some incredible victories. Today, I’m proud to lead Loanspark, one of the fastest-growing fintech companies in the U.S. But here’s the thing—the journey is far from over. In fact, it’s just gettin...