MEDIASCAPE: Insights From Digital Changemakers

What does it truly mean to be human in an age of artificial intelligence? David DeWolf , founder of KnownWell , offers a refreshingly nuanced perspective on how AI should enhance our humanity rather than diminish it. Having built and sold a 2,500-person digital products company before founding KnownWell in 2023, DeWolf observed a critical gap in how businesses were approaching AI. While many focus...

When you ask "Mexican food for dinner?" you're engaging in the most basic form of survey methodology—but as Dr. Philip Garland reveals, there's a profound science to questioning that shapes everything from presidential elections to product development. Dr. Garland's remarkable journey began with a personal mission. As a freshman experiencing racism at University of Washing...

Elizabeth Bieniek takes us on a fascinating journey from aspiring creative writer to tech innovator, challenging our assumptions about career paths and technology's purpose along the way. With refreshing candor and New York-style directness, she reveals how her English degree and outsider perspective became unexpected assets in the tech world. At the heart of our conversation lies a powerful...

When Stephen Sakash began his journey from journalism school to digital marketing, he never imagined he'd be at the forefront of using artificial intelligence to make marketing more human. Yet that's exactly where his path has led him – developing an AI Chief Marketing Officer tool that helps businesses uncover their higher purpose and translate it into emotionally resonant campaigns. At...

What if everything you thought you knew about sales and personal branding was backward? Rob Durant, CEO, US Operations of The Institute for Sales Professionals , challenges conventional wisdom by revealing that successful sales and compelling personal brands aren't actually about you—they're about solving problems for others. Durant's mission to transform the sales profession began...

Marc Viale takes us on a fascinating journey through the evolution of digital marketing, from the early dot-com days to today's AI revolution, revealing profound insights about growth strategy that challenge conventional wisdom. Starting in Philadelphia before moving to San Francisco in 1991, Viale's path from direct mail shops to founding Lab415 wasn't straightforward. His breakthr...

Jeffrey Thompson embodies what it means to be a transformational leader in today's rapidly evolving media landscape. With remarkable clarity, he walks us through his journey from being the first Chief Diversity Officer at Disney to spearheading digital strategy at Condé Nast, bringing a unique perspective on navigating massive organizational change amid technological disruption. Thompson&apos...

Mariam Chtchyan never planned to enter the tech world. With a linguistics degree and plans to become a teacher, she accidentally found herself in an interview for a tech company when she thought she was applying for a translator position. Today, she's the COO of HackTech , an Armenian software development company that partners with clients across the United States and Europe. This unexpected...

What happens when a seasoned digital marketer embraces AI not just as a tool, but as a foundational part of their entire business operation? Justin Lane of Adalane Media Group pulls back the curtain on his agency's remarkable AI transformation in this eye-opening conversation. Justin reveals how he's built a sophisticated system of custom AI agents that have fundamentally changed his mar...

What if the secret to digital success isn't just about who you know, but how authentically you connect with them? Greg Wasserman reveals his powerful philosophy—"Life is about time and relationships. You have no clue where one conversation is going to lead"—that has guided his journey from traditional media sales through Yahoo and CBS to becoming a respected voice in the podcasting...

The battle between beneficial AI innovation and malicious exploitation is intensifying daily. Anatoly Kvitnitsky , USC Marshall alum and founder of AI or Not , takes us deep into this crucial conflict where digital trust hangs in the balance. Drawing from his extensive background in fintech, venture capital, and fraud prevention, Kvitnitsky created a company with a deceptively simple name but prof...

Jimmy Clare, the digital changemaker behind Crazy Fitness Guy, shares his inspiring journey from overcoming early challenges with autism and a nonverbal learning disorder to becoming a prominent advocate and influencer. We dive into Jimmy's unique perspective on the intersection of autism and fitness, and how his personal experiences shape his advocacy. His passion for technology and media, n...

Curious about the key to unlocking the potential of digital accessibility and effective public speaking? Join us as we sit down with Cam Beaudoin, a digital accessibility guru who has transformed his career from a web developer to an influential thought leader. Cam shares his intriguing journey from IT to becoming a "Rainmaker," someone who naturally attracts attention and business by sh...

What if early coding challenges in the '80s could illuminate today's AI complexities? Join us for a fascinating conversation with digital innovator Jonmar, a pioneer who has crafted over 100 apps, including five global chart-toppers. From tapping out code on an Atari to leading digital breakthroughs at Nike and Savage Apps, Jonmar shares his journey with us, reflecting on the universal a...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Guillaume Dumortier of Maestrix. AI as he unveils his journey from traditional marketing to the forefront of AI-driven strategies. Guillaume shares how he transformed his marketing approach from the early days of Google AdWords to today's sophisticated, data-driven methodologies. Discover the growth marketing fit framework, which emphasizes the se...

What if you could take control of your healthcare future and navigate the complexities of AI and digital breakthroughs with confidence? Join us as we sit down with Jim St Clair, a leading figure in AI and health technology, to unravel his remarkable journey from the military to the cutting-edge world of AI in healthcare. Jim shares how his experiences during the Clinton administration and his work...

Get ready to explore the groundbreaking evolution of artificial intelligence with our special guest, Scott Hebner , a principal analyst at SiliconANGLE and theCUBE. Scott's journey from IBM engineering to becoming a pivotal voice in AI analysis provides a fascinating backdrop to our conversation. We navigate through the transformative tech cycles he's witnessed, from the internet and clo...

What if the TV industry as we know it is on the verge of a revolutionary shift? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Shyam Balsé , the acclaimed producer behind ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." With his rich background, from an internship at National Geographic to honing his skills at USC's graduate film program, Shyam offers a compelling narrative on adapting to...

What happens when a data scientist with a passion for teaching steps into the world of education technology? Join us as we uncover the remarkable journey of Jeremy Gu , a dynamic figure whose career spans data science and statistics roles at titans like Uber and AWS, to impactful teaching positions at the University of San Francisco and Stanford. Jeremy's story is a testament to the power of...

Ashlie Marshall, a dynamic mompreneur and digital marketing leader, offers a masterclass in navigating the complexities of balancing career and family life. Discover how Ashley transitioned from retail and coaching to becoming the CFO of Tier Level Digital Marketing , where she skillfully blends structure with creativity. Her compelling journey from Baylor University to the forefront of digital ma...

Curious about the unexpected intersections between academia and tech? Join us as we welcome Noah Healy , a market designer and game theorist, who shares his fascinating journey from the University of Virginia's engineering program to the forefront of digital media. Noah's unique path, which includes studies in nuclear engineering and a serendipitous connection through a games club, exemp...

What if technology could be your ticket to navigating life's biggest challenges? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Saurabh Kumar , Senior Manager of Data Science at Kraft Heinz, as he walks us through his remarkable journey from a web developer in India to a tech-savvy leader in the U.S. Saurabh shares how his early career at Wells Fargo, amidst the 2008 financial crisis, set the sta...

Discover the captivating journey of Russell Boiarsky , a visionary musician and marketing guru, who masterfully intertwines his love for music with a thriving career in sonic branding. We delve into the intricacies of his career path, revealing how his risk-averse nature and the challenges of the Los Angeles recession led him to a unique blend of passion and profession. Russell’s story is a testam...

Ever wondered how managing a household can mirror the challenges of running a business? Join us for an engaging conversation with Shirin Yadegar , the inspiring founder and CEO of LA Mom Magazine , as she shares her journey from communication and journalism at USC Annenberg to leading a thriving digital magazine. Shirin opens up about her unique perspective on parenting as a form of leadership, dr...

Stephen Tanenbaum , the visionary mind behind Rainbook and co-founder of UGallery.com, joins us for an engaging conversation that traces his incredible journey from a childhood passion for baseball cards to innovative entrepreneurship. Discover how his early endeavors, such as creating a lofted bed shelf in his dorm room, sparked a drive that would lead to the establishment of UGallery.com—a groun...