Evolving Industry

To truly bridge the gap between leadership and results, a business leader must become a student of execution. Kevin Ertell , author of The Strategy Trap and founder of Mistere Advisory , joins the podcast to share insights from over 60 operator interviews and a thousand years of combined experience. Beginning his career as an in-store clerk at Tower Records, Kevin climbed the corporate ladder to l...

To modernize a legacy publisher, engineering leaders must confront structural tech fragmentation and build cross-functional trust. Brian Hamman , Senior VP of Product Engineering, and Jason Sobel , Chief Technology Officer at The New York Times , join the podcast to detail their journey scaling a world-class digital operation. Moving past old identity crises of whether they are a tech company, the...

In this episode, we sit down with Co-founder and Partner at 99 Proof Partners , to discuss the transition from the corporate world to the high-stakes craftsmanship of the spirits industry. Mike breaks down the romance of starting a distillery and why many founders struggle to divorce their passion from the hard reality of profitability. We explore the draconian state of spirits technology, where c...

In this episode, we sit down with Andy Ellwood , Founder and CEO of Stretch , to discuss his decade-long obsession with bringing transparency to the grocery industry. Andy shares how the failure of his first company, Basket, actually laid the structural foundation for what AI is finally allowing him to build today. We dive into the information asymmetry that keeps shoppers in the dark and explore...

In this episode, we sit down with Christopher Mims , Technology Columnist for The Wall Street Journal , to discuss how to maintain a sharp “BS detector” in an era of unprecedented tech hype. Drawing on his background in neuroscience and over a decade of reporting, Chris explains why “critical ignoring” is the most important skill for 2026. We explore the punctuated equilibrium of tech disruption,...

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Cohen , Chief Business Development Officer at Skai , to peel back the layers of the world’s most dominant retail engine: Amazon. Jeff shares the story of how he manifested his dream role as an Amazon Tech Evangelist and why the “belly of the beast” isn't nearly as calculated as outsiders believe. We dive into the shift from simple search-term attribution to t...

In this episode, we sit down with Peter Harris , Founder of University Growth Fund , to discuss the shifting landscape of the app economy and the rise of AI-native talent. Peter explores why traditional SaaS models are under threat as the cost of software production plummets and AI agents begin to bypass the “walled gardens” of legacy platforms. We dive into his unique venture capital model, where...

In this episode, we sit down with Curt Miller , Operations Consultant at Littlejohn & Co. , to discuss the transition from the “classically trained” GE culture to the high-stakes world of private equity. Curt shares his journey from an industrial engineer to a procurement expert who has navigated some of the biggest PE firms in the industry. We explore his player-coach philosophy, why procurem...

In this episode of Evolving Industry , we sit down with Oliver Mitchell , Partner at ff Venture Capital and author of A Startup Field Guide in the Age of Robotics and AI . Oliver pulls from his experience as an investor and advisor to explain why robotics and AI require a different go-to-market playbook than traditional SaaS. We discuss the “labor voids” in heavy industry and how companies like Pe...

This episode explores the critical intersection of innovation and AI risk management. Alec Crawford , Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. , shares his journey from managing Wall Street risk during the 2008 financial crisis to securing the modern AI frontier. He debunks the myth that data governance is a “roadblock,” explaining how automated frameworks actually accelerate adoption...

This episode explores the transition from a “grind” mentality to a freedom-first operating system. Mark Rampolla , Co-founder and Managing Partner at GroundForce Capital and author of An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Freedom , shares how he achieved conventional success only to realize he lacked internal freedom. He discusses how to shift focus from time management to energy management, implementing per...

In this episode, we explore the GovTech super worker, unpacking how AI is transforming public sector roles. Denise Hemke , Chief Product Officer at NEOGOV , explains why government customers, unlike those in the private sector, are uniquely collaborative and eager to share data to “raise the tide for everyone.” She details AI applications like the recall product, which uses reinforcement learning...

In this episode, we frame the challenge of adapting to AI using the octopus organization model. Stephen Wunker , Managing Director at New Markets Advisors and co-author of AI and the Octopus Organization , discusses the need to think beyond 5% process efficiencies and aim for 35% process rethink. Drawing on lessons from the first smartphone, Stephen explains the "Three Hearts" framework for balanc...

This episode dives into the evolution of private equity and the strategy of operationalizing brand. Scott Markman , President at MonogramGroup , shares insights from nearly 30 years in PE-backed companies. He explains why the operating partner role is now essential and reframes the public's perception of PE by focusing on the real value created in the middle market. The conversation tackles the di...

Jessica Want , Enterprise Data Practices Director at the Maryland Department of Information Technology , compares the current AI era to the dot-com boom, arguing that AI hype is creating a dangerous culture that diminishes young talent and expertise. She also discusses why UX often gets pushed to the background by rigid frameworks like Agile. The conversation covers the loss of organic mentorship...

In this episode, we’re redefining the innovation mindset. Arun Samuga , Supply Chain Technology Executive at Elemica , challenges the idea that innovation is only about bleeding-edge technology. He argues that true innovation often lies in incremental steps, adapting solutions from other industries, and solving real-world problems. Arun discusses the critical balance between internal core focus an...

This episode dives into the brand frameworks of companies. Tyler Borders , Chief Brand Officer at Carnegie , discusses his journey from artist to brand strategist and how he flipped the script on traditional branding. He explains his psychographic framework for going beyond demographics to understand what truly motivates an audience. The conversation also explores the transition from a nimble "pir...

In this episode, we explore the cultural DNA of tech ecosystems. Kenneth Kashif Thomas , Principal at BackFuture , joins us to talk about the surprising differences in the US and European startup scenes. Kenneth explains how the American "no-BS" attitude and willingness to fund “napkin deals” creates a different landscape for founders. The conversation also tackles the hype around AI, the importan...

Organizational archetypes are recurring patterns that reveal how dysfunction takes root and persists. In this episode, Scott Wozniak , CEO of Swoz Consulting , breaks down some of the most common dysfunction types he’s encountered while helping companies scale. From the reactionary chaos of the “Firefighting Factory” to the rigid habits of the “Fortress,” Scott explores how leaders can identify th...

Organizational transformation is rarely about tech alone. Wayne Powers , Principal at Powers Consulting LLC, has led multiple turnarounds at the intersection of leadership, private equity, and digital evolution. In this episode, he unpacks why once-dominant companies fall behind, how misaligned incentives silently derail innovation, and what it really takes to course-correct in high-stakes environ...

Quote to cash is a complex but critical process that connects every department in a business, and perhaps no one explains it more clearly than John Garvens , Owner and Principal Architect at Garvens Consulting . John joins us to break down the quote to cash lifecycle into its essential purpose — sell stuff, get money. He shares how CPQ fits into the larger revenue equation, the most common pain po...

For decades, product data has been rigid — trapped in static formats that limit flexibility and transparency. But as supply chains become more complex and consumer expectations grow, the need for dynamic data is greater than ever. John Abrams , CEO at nutrād , shares his vision for a future where supply chains move beyond outdated data standards. He explains how real-time data translation, powered...

Many of the biggest names in e-commerce, from Amazon to Nike, have adopted headless commerce solutions to streamline their customers’ digital shopping experiences. But what sets headless commerce apart from other monolithic platforms, and is it the right solution for your business? Joshua Williams , Staff Engineer at Intevity , helps us unpack the benefits of this forward-thinking e-commerce archi...

Stephen Ma , Head of Enterprise Architecture at Ulta Beauty , joins us to explain the full stack architecture model — a concept that merges strategic and technical roles within enterprise systems.  Stephen shares how his full stack approach is helping Ulta Beauty innovate faster while breaking down silos between teams. He also discusses the challenges architects face in bridging business and IT to...

The civilian-military divide has been an unfortunate cultural barrier between American service members’ families and civilian communities for decades. The average military family has to relocate every two to three years, and the mental and financial toll it takes on soldiers’ spouses and children can be overwhelming. As the son of a U.S. Marine, Ryan Callahan , EVP of Digital Innovation at Blue St...