Innovate or Evaporate with Toph Day

What if imagination was your most underused business tool? In this episode, award-winning producer and bestselling author Dete Meserve joins us to explore how storytelling shapes innovation and why vulnerability, creativity, and play aren’t just for kids. From crafting billion-dollar hits to building new kinds of audience engagement, Dete shares how the future of storytelling is being written acro...

In this milestone 20th episode of Innovate or Evaporate, we sit down with cultural icon and hip hop pioneer Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of RunDMC. But this isn’t just a story about music—it’s about reinvention, mental health, and the power of using your platform for purpose. From changing the sound of a generation to confronting his own internal battles, DMC opens up about staying relevant in a world t...

What happens when an engineer-turned-founder decides to tear up the rulebook on how modern software gets built? In this episode, Toph Day sits down with Sean Hise, CEO of Crafted, to explore the rise of "vibe coding," the future of AI-assisted product development, and why building faster and scaling smarter is more critical than ever. Sean shares how he built Crafted from a hallway conversation in...

What if startup investing wasn’t just for the 1%? In this episode of Innovate or Evaporate, Toph Day sits down with Gerry Hays — five‑time founder, venture professor at Indiana University’s Kelley School, and CEO of Doriot — to unpack a revolutionary idea: venture staking. Gerry’s been on a decades‑long mission to open access to early‑stage capital, and now with the launch of Doriot and his Qualif...

In this conversation, Shelly Zalis, CEO and founder of The Female Quotient, shares her journey of building a global community and the importance of collective action in empowerment in the workplace. She discusses the challenges of leadership, the significance of emotional intelligence, and the need for cultural belonging in organizations. Shelly emphasizes the importance of education, kindness, an...

Reuben Brigety II — former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa — joins Toph Day for a powerful conversation on leadership, diplomacy, and building in the global arena. From commanding missions abroad to launching Busara Advisors, Inc. with a Series A out of the gate, Brigety is redefining what commercial diplomacy looks like in the 21st century. They dig into why Africa — a $3 trillion economy poised...

Jeanna Q. Liu didn’t just leave Wall Street — she reinvented what it means to grow something from the ground up. As founder and CEO of Cowbell Plant Co., Jeanna turned her background in global investment banking into a playbook for sustainable, capital-efficient entrepreneurship. In this episode of Innovate or Evaporate, we talk about: How she scaled a physical product from prototype to thousands...

Manny Ohonme’s first pair of shoes changed his life—and he’s been on a mission ever since. In this unforgettable episode, Manny shares how a single act of kindness sparked a global movement that’s now put shoes on over 12 million feet across 113 countries. As founder of Samaritan’s Feet and CEO of World Shoe, Manny fuses nonprofit grit with scalable innovation. Toph and Manny dive deep into the st...

Before Sweetwater became a billion-dollar brand, it was a one-man recording studio in the back of a VW bus. In this episode, Toph sits down with founder Chuck Surack to explore the relentless, often surprising journey behind one of the most trusted names in music retail. From programming early CRM systems to flying across the country to deliver sounds to Stevie Wonder, Chuck shares timeless lesson...

At RALLY Innovation Conference, Toph sat down with Tia White, a trailblazing AI and machine learning executive whose journey from a small-town upbringing to the forefront of tech innovation is nothing short of inspiring. Tia shares her story of breaking barriers, her self-taught skills in Python, and her rise to leadership roles at Capital One and beyond. In this episode, they explore the disrupti...

From college hoops to calling the Olympics, Zora Stephenson’s path to NBC Sports is a story of bold moves, relentless preparation, and authentic connection. In this conversation, Zora shares what it takes to thrive in today’s fast-changing media world and why humanizing athletes is the real future of sports storytelling. Takeaways Zora's experience at the Olympics showcased the emotional connectio...

In this bonus episode, Toph Day interviews Tarek Glenn, a Super Bowl champion and co-founder of Dream Alive. They discuss the broader concept of innovation beyond technology, emphasizing the importance of mindset and personal experiences. Tarek shares insights on how he innovated in sports training, the evolution of technology in athletics, and his transition from football to philanthropy. The dis...

In this conversation, Tooh Day interviews Gary Brackett, a former NFL player and entrepreneur, discussing his journey from being undrafted to becoming a Super Bowl champion. They explore themes of personal growth, the importance of failure, the evolution of sports technology, and the challenges of navigating the NIL landscape in college sports. Brackett shares insights on entrepreneurship, the sig...

In this episode, Jill Malandrino, host of Nasdaq’s TradeTalks, shares her journey from the trading floor to the forefront of financial media. Recorded on the expo hall floor of the 2024 RALLY Innovation Conference, Jill opens up about the evolution of the markets, the rise of retail investors, and how technology and storytelling are reshaping how we understand finance. She reflects on the early da...

In this episode, Brooke Wyatt shares her journey from a small-town upbringing to becoming a social media powerhouse in New York City. Joined by her agent, Logan Watkins, Brooke opens up about the evolving landscape of influencer marketing and how she transitioned into influencing. They explore the importance of authenticity, the strategies brands should consider when working with influencers, and...

In this conversation, President Pam Witten of Indiana University discusses her journey in higher education, her vision for IU 2030, and the importance of student success, research, and collaboration across disciplines. She highlights the recent success of IU's football program, her background in telemedicine, and the strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the university's impact on the state of...

In this conversation, David Stout shares his journey from growing up on a cattle ranch in Michigan to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the AI and technology sector. He discusses the lessons learned from his upbringing, his educational path, and the challenges he faced while developing AI solutions. David emphasizes the importance of democratizing AI and the potential for disruptive innovation...

In this engaging conversation, Jann Mardenborough joins us in the RALLY Innovation Conference expo hall to share his inspiring journey from a passionate gamer to a professional racing driver. He discusses the challenges he faced, the importance of mindset, and how he navigated the transition from virtual racing to real-world motorsports. Jan emphasizes the significance of perseverance, adaptation,...

In this episode of Innovate or Evaporate, Toph Day sits down with Mung Chiang, the 13th President of Purdue University and a renowned innovator in electrical and computer engineering. From his early days at Princeton University to leading Purdue’s charge as a global higher education and research leader, Mung shares his journey of fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation. They discuss Purdue...

As the 51st Governor of Indiana, Eric Holcomb has redefined leadership through bold ideas and transformative actions. In this episode, Governor Holcomb reflects on his journey from Pike High School to the Statehouse, sharing insights on collaboration, resilience, and the policies that have positioned Indiana as the Innovation Capital of the World®. From record-breaking investments to fostering pub...

From the baseball diamond to the boardroom, Alex Rodriguez has built an empire by embracing resilience and innovation. In this episode, A-Rod shares how lessons learned from his storied career shaped his approach to business, technology, and leadership. Discover his philosophy of adaptability, his “PhD in failing,” and the secrets behind his success as an entrepreneur and investor. This episode wa...