Future-Proofed

In this episode of the Future Proof Podcast, Brent Muller sits down with powerhouse entrepreneur Christian Johnson, founder and CEO of Beautiful Brains. From creating a teen-driving safety product to becoming New York's fastest-growing business in 2023, Christian shares her journey through early startup challenges, pivoting during COVID-19, and now pioneering sustainable, AI-powered manufactu...

In this insightful episode of the Future Proof Podcast, host Brent Muller sits down with Kelly Kovack, the powerhouse behind BeautyMatter, a global B2B media and intelligence platform serving the beauty and wellness ecosystem. Kelly shares her journey from beauty brand builder to creating a purpose-driven platform that champions both emerging tech and community-first thinking. From launching with...

In this episode of the Future-Proofed Podcast, Brent Muller is joined by Steve Doll, Founder of D2D Technologies. From launching a broadcast technology company after a failed startup to building infrastructure that supports FEMA’s emergency alert system, Steve shares how D2D is bridging legacy TV systems with modern streaming and AI. He unpacks the game-changing potential of NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0),...

Ari Hirsch, founder of InstaSteam, shares how a dorm-room laundry struggle sparked a revolutionary travel steamer—now used in hotels, cruise ships, and homes worldwide. Learn how he turned a $700 prototype into a Shark Tank-worthy business, survived COVID’s travel collapse, and leveraged AI to scale. A must-watch for entrepreneurs and travelers alike! ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: Meet Ari Hirsch...

Michael Shore joins Brent Muller on Future-Proofed to share his journey from Peace Corps volunteer to solar entrepreneur, to launching his newest venture — Juice Capital. After two successful exits in renewable energy, Michael is now focused on investing in "electricity tech": innovations that address the rapidly growing global demand for power driven by AI, EVs, and data centers. He dis...

In one of the most fascinating episodes of Future-Proofed yet, Brent Muller sits down with Peter Freer — educator, entrepreneur, and neurotechnology pioneer — to explore how brainwave-based tech is transforming everything from ADHD treatment and driver safety to mindfulness and pet communication. Peter shares the origin of his groundbreaking program Play Attention, the science behind executive fun...

In this episode of the Future-Proofed Podcast, host Brent Muller dives into an inspiring founder story with Ryan Massie, President and Co-Owner of Syssero Inc. — a people-first consulting firm specializing in Workday solutions. Ryan shares how he transitioned from being a fine arts professor to building a multi-faceted consulting company that champions empathy, self-sufficiency, and long-term clie...

Jeff Blau, real estate developer and founder of Giga Holdings, shares how he built 600+ apartment units (and 5,000 more in the pipeline) by focusing on community-driven amenities and strategic acquisitions. Discover why office-to-residential conversions rarely work, how AI is revolutionizing construction takeoffs and fire monitoring, and why he bets on "old-school" principles—like overpa...

In this game-changing episode of the Future-Proofed Podcast, host Brett Muller is joined by Anuj Gupta, founder of Gradient Advisors and co-author of the acclaimed book Practical Natural Language Processing. Anuj shares his unique framework for building successful AI-powered businesses, emphasizing a four-pillar strategy that goes beyond just models to drive real business impact. From his early da...

In this powerful episode of the Future-Proof Podcast, Brent Muller sits down with Nicholas Wiktorski, VP at Omega TMM, to explore the evolution of American manufacturing. Nick shares his journey from college dropout to a leader in precision tool measuring technology, discusses the role of AI and automation in reshoring manufacturing jobs, and how Omega’s American-made machines are driving efficien...

Ben Narasin, founder of Tenacity VC and early investor in Lending Club and Zenefits, shares his incredible journey from entrepreneur to venture capitalist. Learn why he focuses on seed-stage startups, how he evaluates founders, and the tough-love advice every entrepreneur needs to hear. Discover the mindset behind building billion-dollar companies and avoiding common pitfalls in fundraising. ⏱️ Ti...

Michelle Knox, founder of WindSolar USA, joins Brent Muller on the Future-Proofed Podcast to discuss her incredible journey from insurance and Montessori education to leading a clean energy movement in Illinois. Michelle explains why renewable energy is now more affordable than ever, thanks to incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act and Illinois’ aggressive RPS goals. She also dives into how p...

In this insightful episode of the Future-Proofed Podcast, host Brett Mueller sits down with Jeff Dillon, founder of EdTech Connect, to explore how higher education is evolving in response to the AI revolution. With over two decades of experience in higher ed IT, Jeff reveals the inspiration behind EdTech Connect, a platform designed to simplify software discovery for colleges and universities. He...

Bob Manley, Co-Founder of Hermit Woods Winery, shares how he’s pioneering a new category of wine—made entirely from fruit, not grapes—while staying true to classic winemaking traditions. Discover how this New Hampshire winery crafts dry, barrel-aged wines from local apples, berries, and honey, competes with Napa Valley, and leverages AI to streamline operations. Plus: Why climate change might make...

In this inspiring episode, host Brent Miller sits down with Matt Kolmes, CEO of Supreme Corporation, to unravel a powerful story of transformation, legacy, and innovation in the textile industry. ⏱Timestamps 00:01 – Introduction 00:28 – Matt’s unconventional career path 01:28 – Transition from law to textiles 06:18 – Mentorship under Jim Threlkeld and textile fundamentals 10:33 – Ballistic fabric...

Jason Reid, a serial entrepreneur and mental health advocate, shares his incredible journey from starting as a house painter to running multiple successful companies. In this episode of the Future-Proofed Podcast, he reveals the power of relationships, the importance of investing in people, and his mission to improve mental health through his foundation, TellMyStory.org. Learn why he believes AI c...

In this inspiring episode of the Future-Proofed Podcast, Brett Muller sits down with Carol Ann Wentworth, founder of Wentworth Executive Recruiting, to explore the art of high-touch executive search. With a career that spans health and wellness, modeling, chamber leadership, and now C-level recruitment, Carol Ann shares how authenticity, intention, and human connection have fueled her decades-long...

Kimmy Powell, the visionary behind Woodhouse Spas and a thriving industrial flooring business, reveals how she scales two radically different companies with the same strategic mindset. From leveraging AI to fill empty spa slots to automating construction estimates, she shares how technology drives profitability in unexpected ways. Plus: Her "build-to-sell" philosophy and why she’s bettin...

Discover how Free Form Fibers is revolutionizing aerospace, defense, and nuclear energy with cutting-edge ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). CEO Shay Harrison shares insights on their unique laser-driven chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) technology, the journey from R&D to commercialization, and their mission to replace metals with lighter, higher-performance materials. Learn why their fibers ar...

Tom Rauen, CEO of 1-800-T-Shirts.com, shares how he transformed a basement side hustle into a thriving apparel business serving everyone from Little Leagues to Fortune 500s.  Discover how Tom: ✅ Achieves 20% year-over-year growth for 20+ years ✅ Partners with mega-brands like Carhartt and North Face for co-branded apparel ✅ Leverages AI for mockups, sales analytics, and decision-making ✅ Navig...

Ron Kamen, founder of EarthKind Energy Consulting, shares how his company is revolutionizing energy efficiency with solar, geothermal, and AI-driven solutions. From slashing costs for businesses to pioneering sustainable community initiatives, discover how cleantech can deliver positive ROI while saving the planet. Perfect for entrepreneurs, developers, and eco-conscious leaders! ⏱Timestamps 00:00...

Lonnie Schwimmer, serial entrepreneur and founder of Nootie, shares his journey from selling fireworks as a kid to revolutionizing pet care with vet-inspired shampoos, supplements, and Koha Pet Food. Learn how Nootie's solution-based products address real pet health issues, why Lonnie champions local pet stores over e-commerce, and how AI helps scale this purpose-driven brand. Packed with cus...

What makes a startup truly investable? In this episode, venture capitalist and author Fred Haney shares insider insights into how venture capitalists (VCs) think, what they look for in founders, and the key ingredients to startup success. Whether you're an entrepreneur or just fascinated by the world of venture capital, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom. 🎙️ Topics Covered: 🔹...

Joseph Cufari, CEO of MONARC Holdings, Inc., shares his journey from pioneering cellular technology to revolutionizing material science with energy-dispersing armor. Discover how MONARC’s US-made innovations protect military personnel and athletes, the role of AI in accelerating product development, and the future of lightweight, adaptive safety solutions. Learn how MONARC balances lethality and s...

Discover how Henry Gordon-Smith, Founder and CEO of Agritecture, is transforming agriculture with AI, IoT, and urban farming solutions. From helping global farmers adapt to climate change to launching the world’s first farm-planning software, learn how his consultancy bridges tech and sustainability. Whether you're in agtech or just curious about the future of food, this episode is packed wit...