MEDIASCAPE: Insights From Digital Changemakers

Join us as we uncover the compelling journey of Matthew Krayton, founder and principal of Publitics , who transformed from an aspiring social studies teacher into a key figure in political strategy. Learn how the 2008 financial crisis served as a catalyst for Matthew's career shift and discover the significant role digital media has played in reshaping campaigns, particularly during the 2012...

Ever wondered how a rapper's dream could shape an entire podcasting community? Join us as we uncover Corey Gumbs’ unique journey from aspiring musician to influential podcast development strategist and community builder. Corey shares intimate stories from his early music industry days and how those experiences led him to pioneering efforts in educating artists about the digital music business...

Discover the fascinating world of war, communication, and policy-making with the esteemed Professor Mara Karlin in this gripping episode of Mediascape. As a leading authority in international relations and defense, Mara takes us through her incredible journey from a college student with a thirst for global understanding to a pivotal figure in shaping U.S. defense strategy. With vivid anecdotes fro...

What if your career journey could seamlessly blend the worlds of technology, corporate strategy, and interior design? Ariana Smetana, the dynamic founder and CEO of AccelIQ Digital, shares her fascinating transition from prestigious roles in London and Houston to leading digital transformation efforts. Her unique perspective on technology and AI, sparked by the digital revolution of 2020, offers i...

Maxwell Ivey , affectionately known as the Blind Blogger, takes us on a transformative journey through the world of digital accessibility and inclusion advocacy. Raised in a family of carnival owners in Texas, Maxwell's story is one of remarkable resilience and innovation. Despite losing his vision to retinitis pigmentosa, he taught himself digital skills, such as HTML, to navigate the online...

Ever wondered how a career that began with Coca-Cola could lead to consulting for the World Health Organization on sustainable branding? Dr. Misha Kouzeh is here to share her captivating journey, which underscores the importance of purpose-driven branding and the fight against greenwashing. From the stark realities of commercial product availability versus essential resources like clean water, Dr....

Talib Jasir joins us to share his incredible journey from creating his first audio drama podcast in 2017 to establishing Afros and Audio , a pioneering festival and network lifting Black voices in podcasting. Talib opens up about the power of representation and the challenges Black creatives face in an industry where their voices are often marginalized. Together, we explore how the support of comm...

Unlock the transformative potential of AI in media with our exclusive conversation featuring Jeffrey Paul, CEO and co-founder of ZioTag . Discover how an innovative AI-powered video platform is making video content more accessible and searchable. Jeffrey shares the inspirational story behind ZioTag, a tool initially created to navigate lengthy tech meetup videos in New York City, and how it has re...

Prepare to be inspired by the incredible journey of Dr. Vivek Bhandari , a digital changemaker in the energy sector. Vivek's passion for programming and app development during the IT boom of the 90s in Nepal set him on a path toward electrical engineering and eventually led to his role at Powerledger in Australia. His personal experiences with energy scarcity in his home country ignited a det...

Can you imagine transforming from a college freshman looking for internships to a young entrepreneur paving his own path? Scott Duffy's journey with AAA Student Painters is nothing short of inspirational. He shares the pivotal advice that helped him seize entrepreneurial opportunities and develop essential business skills through hands-on experience. Scott also reflects on how the perception...

Discover the remarkable journey of BL Ochman , a true pioneer in digital marketing, as she shifts her focus to the transformative power of artificial intelligence. From managing major PR clients like the American Dairy Association and Miracle-Gro to leading digital strategy sessions for Ford and IBM, BL shares her captivating story of embracing the potential of the internet early on. Now, with her...

Ready to uncover the secrets of becoming a successful venture capitalist? In this episode of Mediascape Insights from Digital Changemakers, we’re thrilled to sit down with Brian Garrett, a founding partner of Crosscut. Listen as Brian shares his extraordinary journey from a Stanford industrial engineering graduate to a renowned VC in Southern California. He opens up about the valuable lessons from...

Discover the inspiring entrepreneurial journey of Evan Leapheart as he reveals the secrets behind transforming financial missteps into educational triumphs. Tune in to learn how Evan's personal experiences led to the creation of Kiddie Kredit and its innovative evolution into Kredit Academy . Gain insights into the importance of financial education for youth, the significance of staying true...

Ever wondered how virtual education can transform from mundane to magical? In this episode, we promise you'll gain exclusive insights from Kirk Spahn, a fourth-generation educator whose journey spans competitive junior tennis, an influential stint at Dartmouth College, and pioneering work in Europe with School-Master.net. As the founder of ICL Academy , Kirk reveals how virtual education has...

What if mastering communication could be the key to overcoming loneliness and depression? We sit down with Allan Knight, whose personal journey of self-discovery began with his mother's battle with cancer and his quest for meaning after his father's passing. Allan's path took him to a Zen meditation center where he lived as a monk for nine years, and now, he shares how developing a...

Ever wondered how two broke musicians from Florida could turn their fortunes around to become thriving entrepreneurs? Join us as Stephen Blackburn and Stephen Johnson, the powerhouse duo behind Rich From Anywhere, share their extraordinary journey from the tough streets of Fort Myers to the bustling entrepreneurial scene in Atlanta. Learn how they overcame their initial failures in e-commerce, inc...

What if you could navigate the rocky transition from corporate life to freelance success in a post-pandemic world? That’s exactly what John Clemence, founder of Cedar Press, accomplished, and he’s here to share his inspiring journey. Discover how Jon turned his passion for English into a thriving business, leveraging platforms like UpWork to offer top-notch proofreading and editing services. We’ll...

Ever wondered how the human spirit can transcend adversity? Join us as we promise you will be inspired by Jimmy Brady’s incredible journey from dropping out of school at 12 to becoming a passionate learner and successful entrepreneur. Jimmy’s story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of meditation. Despite the formidable challenges of losing a parent and battling family addic...

How will AI reshape the future of digital media and education? Join us as we uncover the transformative power of AI with Nick Martin, one of the founders of Direqt, an AI startup recognized by Adweek as one of the top 12 hottest in the industry. Hear Nick's inspiring journey from college dropout to successful entrepreneur and discover how Direct is revolutionizing media and entertainment by c...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Gregg Murphy and Mike Latch, two visionaries who transformed their journey from a residential solar company in Hawaii into a powerful narrative at the intersection of AI and sales with Patter AI . Have you ever wondered how a structured sales process and mentorship can turn a near-firing into a flourishing career? Gregg and Mike offer a front-row seat to...

Unlock the secrets of building a successful business with Drew Glover, co-founder of Fiat Growth and general partner at Fiat Ventures . Drew's journey from growing up in the Bay Area and attending UC Berkeley to making a significant impact in the venture capital world is nothing short of inspiring. Alongside co-founder Alex Harris, Drew has identified groundbreaking opportunities in the finte...

Is it possible to stand out in a crowded marketplace? Join us as we explore this question with Arra G. Yerganian , a distinguished Chief Marketing Officer with a wealth of experience at organizations like One Medical and the University of Phoenix. Arra unpacks his approach to breaking through the "sea of sameness" using research, insights, and market segmentation. He also shares his pers...

Join the conversation with Kevin Surace, an AI maverick and the "Father" of the Virtual Assistant,  who not only shapes the future of technology but also intertwines it with the vibrancy of the arts. Imagine a world where engineers take center stage, melding code with creativity in a performance that's as technical as it is theatrical. Kevin's story is a testament to this blend...

Join the journey with digital marketing virtuoso Darrell Evans as we dissect the ever-changing landscape of digital media. Darrell brings his wealth of knowledge from real estate to YouTube stardom, providing a roadmap for success in utilizing email marketing and video content. Our conversation is a treasure trove of insights, sharing how innovation and adaptability can not only navigate but conqu...

Embark on an expedition through the dynamic landscape of AI in digital marketing with our esteemed guest, Menekse Stewart, who illuminates the intricate dance between technology and human insight. From her early SEO roots to the sophisticated algorithms of today, Menekse imparts her wisdom on the seismic shift from keyword-stuffed pages to the subtle finesse required to satisfy user intent and con...