Synching Up by Out in Tech NY

In this episode, Jake sits down with David Walters - founder and CEO of Streamr, a platform designed to let creators record, engage, and distribute content across every major audio and video destination from one centralized hub. David talks about the fragmented creator landscape that inspired Streamr, and why the convergence of video and audio podcasting was a trend he saw coming long before Apple...

Healthcare technology is evolving fast, but is AI actually delivering on its promises? In this episode, Jake sits down with Isaiah Nielsen, Epic Site Director at NYC Health and Hospitals, to explore the reality of implementing AI in one of the most regulated, high-stakes industries in the world. Isaiah traces his unexpected path from aspiring opera singer to healthcare tech leader, and shares why...

Sam Cahoon grew up the oldest of six kids in small-town Idaho, living a life that had been mapped out before he was even born - Eagle Scout, valedictorian, BYU, mission. In this episode, Sam shares his journey from navigating a deeply Mormon upbringing and the weight of external expectations, to fully stepping into his queer identity and building a thriving career in tech. He talks candidly about...

What does “go-to-market” actually mean - and why are partnerships becoming one of the most important functions in tech? In this episode of Syncing Up by Out in Tech NYC, Jake Tenenbaum sits down with partnership and strategic alliances leader Fabian Eckstrom-French to unpack the world of GTM, business development, and ecosystem strategy. From hyperscalers and AI partnerships to authenticity in cor...

In this episode of Synching Up, Jake sits down with Sunny Israni — CTO & Co-Founder of Lightswitch, Columbia Business School professor, and AI educator — to unpack one of the most human questions in tech today: what happens to our identity when AI reshapes the skills we’ve built our lives around? From trading floors to startups to classrooms, Sunny shares how his own definition of identity has...

What happens when a teenage volunteer at Planned Parenthood witnesses ACT UP's graphic design revolution and decides to build a career at the intersection of creativity and activism?
 In this episode of Synching Up, Jake sits down with Shane Lukas, creative strategist and owner of A Great Idea, who's spent 25 years proving that design isn't just about aesthetics—it's a tool for res...

What happens when a software engineer leaves crypto behind to build something that actually improves civic life?

In this episode of Synching Up, Jake sits down with Shruti Gupta, founder of Pollsee, a new platform aiming to democratize lobbying and bring everyday people into conversations with local governments.

 They discuss: Why local elections feel so out of reach—and how Pollsee is changing...

What do you get when you blend performer, educator, and nonprofit strategist into one career? In this episode of Synching Up, Jake sits down with Brian Kirn, a former teacher, working actor, and nonprofit leader at America On Tech, to explore how internships, access, and identity intersect. They discuss: Why early access to tech internships matters How being queer and Midwestern shaped Brian’s lea...

What happens when you come out in your 40s after building a 20-year career in tech? In this episode of Synching Up, Angela Earl shares her powerful story of self-discovery, reinvention, and leadership. From navigating coming out as a queer woman in the midst of a high-powered marketing career, to unpacking the true ROI of inclusion and authenticity at work, Angela offers wisdom, wit, and tangible...

What does it mean to communicate clearly without losing kindness - or yourself? In this episode of Synching Up, Jake sits down with Jarryd Boyd, a senior communications leader and certified coach, to unpack the real power of clarity in work and life. They explore why queer professionals often overexplain, how directness differs from harshness, and how simple frameworks like “clear is kind” can cha...

In this episode of  Synching Up ,  Jake sits down with Kai Wong (she/they), Principal of Digital Accessibility at Teladoc Health and contributing author to  Inclusive Design for Accessibility . Together, they unpack what digital accessibility  really  means—beyond checklists and compliance—and how Kai’s lived experience as a neurodivergent, non-binary, queer AAPI professional fuels their advocacy....

In this season two premiere of Synching Up, we sit down with Brendon Hawkins — a transdisciplinary artist and technical product manager working at the intersection of editorial, emerging technologies, and queer identity. Brendon walks us through a deeply reflective timeline, from fashion photography to fine art to cybersecurity and product innovation. We explore how their identity as a Black, quee...

Synching Up brings you conversations at the intersection of tech, identity, and innovation from Out in Tech NY . Hosted by Jake Tenenbaum , each episode explores how technology shapes who we are, how we connect, and where we’re headed next. Season 2 is sharper, shorter, and more focused — featuring conversations on marketing and leadership, clarity and communication, design and storytelling, build...

Annie Beckman’s journey spans volunteering in China, signal and space operations in the U.S. Army, and an upcoming chapter in law school - all grounded in an ethos of service. In this season finale, Annie reflects on leading a diverse array of teams as a junior officer, navigating identity in hierarchical institutions, and her passion for using technology to promote digital equity and effect chang...

In this episode of Synching Up, Jake sits down with Jacob Gordon to explore what it truly means to have a life outside of work. From growing up in Iowa and entering the tech world during a global pandemic, to teaching group fitness classes and mastering skincare routines, Jacob shares how building a fulfilling “five-to-nine” identity has shaped his career, resilience, and sense of fulfillment.  Ja...

What happens when a queer Indonesian lawyer gets laid off in New York and starts feeding strangers? You get Studio Bumi - a food experience studio on a mission to fight urban loneliness, one dinner party at a time. In this episode, Bagus joins Jake to talk about immigration, reinvention, and why fried rice might be the most honest metaphor for queer identity. Together they unpack what it means to...

What does it take to build a startup - and a life - from a winding path of poetry, healthcare IT, Amazon grocery stores, and now fintech? In this episode of Synching Up, Jake sits down with Sara Schmitt, co-founder and COO of Adro, a neobank built for international students and newcomers to the U.S. banking system. Together, they unpack Sara’s “collage career” - from her early days as a poetry maj...

In this episode of Synching Up, we talk with longtime project management leader and Out in Tech member Michael Matute about building a career rooted in curiosity, queerness, and clear timelines. From launching a digital photo lab; to the dot-com boom; to coaching PMs today, Michael shares how LGBTQ+ identity, emotional intelligence, and the art of getting things done all converge in the project ma...

What does growing, adapting, and leading mean when your identity defies easy categorization? In this episode of Synching Up , we sit down with JD Valladares-Williams, an emotional intelligence consultant and storyteller who’s lived through civil unrest in Peru, self-discovery in Madrid, and creative breakthroughs on Broadway. Together, we explore how emotional intelligence, queer identity, and per...

What happens when a decade-long career at one of the world's biggest tech companies ends abruptly? In this episode of Synching Up , Jake sits down with Carlo Frem—former Amazon marketing leader turned fractional CMO and founder—to talk about the journey from corporate layoffs to building something new on your own terms. Carlo shares insights on his time at Amazon Music and Prime Video, how ide...

In this episode of "Synching Up," host Jake Tenenbaum chats with Mandy Meindersma, a senior software engineer at Dotdash Meredith, about her journey into hardware and the open source community. They explore the differences between open source software and hardware, the impact of AI on these communities, and the importance of representation in tech. Mandy shares her experiences as a queer female en...

In this inaugural episode - filmed live at Netflix - of the "Synching Up" series, hosted by Jake Tenenbaum (Out in Tech NY) , we dive into the fascinating world of personalization in technology. Joined by Creative Director Darragh Dandurand, the conversation explores the intersection of tech, identity, and innovation. Jake and Darragh discuss the importance of personalization in marketin...

In this engaging episode of "Synching Up," Jake Tenenbaum sits down with Tony Lorenzi, a seasoned technical recruiter at MongoDB, to explore the dynamic world of recruiting and hiring in the tech industry. They delve into the intersection of gender identity, queerness, and the recruiting process, offering unique insights into how these elements shape career trajectories and workplace env...