In this episode, we delve into Carey's extensive professional journey. He discusses his roles as the co-founder and managing director of BankTech Ventures, a strategic investment fund for community banks, highlighting its approach and challenges. Our discussion touches on banking transformation, the unique value of community banks, and the applicability of blockchain in financial systems. Carey also elaborates on Operate, a venture studio he co-founded, which focuses on partnering with passionate founders to support and de-risk their startups. Carey also has a podcast worth checking out called Operate that we’ll link to in the show notes. Carey also reflects on personal challenges, the importance of quality partnerships, and more. Carey's insights are invaluable, and it’s inspiring to hear about his innovative efforts in transforming industries and supporting founders.

Today, we have a special guest, my friend and advisor, Brett Brewer. We're privileged to present a rare, insightful interview with one of the most esteemed and influential figures in the Los Angeles tech market and beyond. In this episode, we explore Brett's journey through entrepreneurship and investing, his impact on the tech community, and his various philanthropic initiatives, such as co-chairing Alliance Charter Schools and LA Tech Cares. Brett wasted no time; at age 17, he started doing real estate deals. During the dot-com boom of the late '90s, he founded Intermix Media, which owned and catalyzed MySpace, leading to its landmark acquisition by News Corp. After the MySpace sale, Brett took the helm at AdKnowledge, grew it to $300M in revenue in two years, and subsequently sold the business. Brett's story is inspiring—he took his winnings and expertise and reinvested them back into the LA tech market by co-founding Crosscut Ventures with Brian Garrett and Rick Smith in 2008. Over the past 15 years, Crosscut has invested in over 175 startups, profoundly shaping LA's tech landscape. The interview is great, so stay tuned for Brett’s memorable “Brettisms”—pearls of wisdom that stick with you long after you hear them.

In this episode, Amber and I explore our experiences in the tech industry, Amber's startup, Geoloqi, which Esri acquired, and our collaboration while we were both at the firm. Amber’s main focus in recent years is Calm technology, a type of information technologywhere the interaction between the technology and its user is designed to occur in the user's periphery rather than constantly at the center of attention. In 2015 O’Reilly published her book 'Calm Technology”. This episode is all about the need for human-centered design in technology, and celebrating Amber’s launch of the Calm Tech Institute.

Today, we chatted with Paul Ollinger, an early Facebook executive turned full-time stand-up comedian and podcaster. This episode is chock full of wisdom and practical advice, and it’s one of my favorite episodes I’ve done in a while because it’s so honest and funny, too. Paul shares his journey from the corporate world to the comedy stage and beyond. He discusses the importance of authenticity in comedy and life. Paul reflects on leaving Facebook for a more fulfilling path, emphasizing the value of “enoughness” and avoiding regret. Paul’s Podcast, “Crazy Money,” is a must-listen. His guest roster is a who’s who of pop culture. He advocates for living on one’s terms and raising the torch to pursue truth. I hope this conversation with Paul inspires you as much as it did for me.

We chatted with my dear friend Brady Brim-DeForest, CEO of Formula.Monks, the tech services division of Media Monks, and the first-time author of the book “Smaller is Better.” In this episode, Brady and I discussed his new book and its revolutionary approach: empowering small, autonomous teams to spearhead targeted missions. Drawing on his personal experiences, Brady offers a practical roadmap for dismantling complex problems and achieving breakthrough solutions. Get ready to hear inspiring insights on reframing failure as a launchpad for success. And how, as leaders and innovators, we must champion this mindset and create spaces where our teams are not just allowed to fail but supported and encouraged to do so.

Today, we chat with Talia Jacqueline CEO of Visceral. Talia is a communication expert passionate about empowering individuals, teams, and organizations to reach their full potential. She’s also a partner at our firm Realworld Asset Group, and is a key factor in the special culture we’re taking great care to create. Talia and I are diving deep into the transformative power of EQ, communication and personal growth. We'll explore her unique approach to helping clients become self-sufficient leaders. Get ready to hear insightful discussions on how unresolved past experiences can create blinkspots and hinder our success (and how to breakthrough), the magic ingredient of empathy in building self-awareness and strong teams, plus my journey with coaching and personal growth. This episode promises to be packed with valuable takeaways. So, get ready to take notes and join us as we explore the power of guides, communication, and personal growth.

We chatted with Ben Sullins, founder of Free The Data Academy. Ben and I delve into the intersection of data science, storytelling, and YouTube content creation. Ben also narrates his transition from data science to becoming a successful YouTuber, shedding light on the pivotal role of storytelling in captivating audiences. Ben recounts the unexpected shift in his channel's focus from data science to Tesla-related content, highlighting the creative challenges faced by YouTubers. Ben also contributes his perspective on using storytelling to enhance presentations in corporate settings and his move towards creating online courses and a YouTube channel dedicated to data science. This episode isn't just about conversations; it's a symphony of insights, a kaleidoscope of experiences that underscores the paramount importance of storytelling in the dynamic realm of data science.

I’m excited to share my conversation with my friend Erik Huberman-Founder & CEO of Hawke Media. We explore his entrepreneurial journeys, from growing up in Ojai to founding Hawke Media, the fastest-growing marketing agency on the US West Coast. We explore the power of emotional connection in branding, paralleling Nike's strategy, and delve into Erik’s book, "The Hawke Method,”--emphasizing the importance of awareness, nurture, and trust in brand building. We delve into the perils of client concentration, the role of in-house recruiters, the growth strategy involving mergers and acquisitions, and Hawke Ventures--a VC fund that he spun out of the agency. Additionally, we touched on the impact of AI on the economy and the importance of adaptability, networking, and resilience in business. Our conversation also covers the challenges of managing energy and balancing business with personal life.  Erik also shares his personal story of overcoming intense anxiety during a tumultuous period, highlighting the significance of empathy and self-care. Erik is one of the good guys, and the number of insights we packed into this episode is fantastic.

This week's podcast guest, Douglas Campbell, is about to blow your mind. He's a RISD grad who's not just a design mastermind, he's hacking the future with AI! We'll crack open his digital toolbox, see how he's blending tech and creativity, and dive into the magic he conjures at projectfresh.com. Remember Mindshare LA? Yeah, picture TED Talks on Playa Dust – epic vibes. We'll revisit those days, then blast off to explore the AI revolution and how it's reshaping everything from robots rewriting the rules to how we actually create. Doug's got the inside scoop, from efficiency hacks to unleashing your inner creative beast. But wait, there's more! Doug's also a non-fiction ninja, sharing his writing secrets and the course he built to turn you into a storytelling pro. Get ready for some soul-baring real talk about chasing passion, conquering internal struggles, and finding your worth beyond the paycheck. This episode is a mind-bending blend of tech wizardry, personal growth gold, and a dash of nostalgia that'll make you wanna high-five the future. (P.S. Check the show notes for the Mindshare-born Syyn Labs who built the epic Rube Goldberg machine for OK Go's "This Too Shall Pass" – 40 million views and counting!). So tune in, press play, and let Doug and Kurt take you on a wild ride you won't forget. And don't forget to check out his playground of innovation at projectfresh.com – your mind and your business will thank you!

This week, we welcome my brother, Christopher Daradics—a linguist at the University of Oregon. From his strategic post U of O's Center for Applied Second Language Studies (aka CASLS, for you acronym aficionados) to his world-hopping escapades that inspired his graphic memoir "Pocket Guide to Revolution," Christopher's a walking, talking kaleidoscope of cultures and ideas. We dive deep into the space between language, art, and the human experience – brains, hearts, and the whole enchilada. We tiptoe along the tightrope of intercultural communication, ponder the complexities of the extended mind theory, and even offer our respectful take on the Fluxus art movement (we see you, Yoko Ono – still a legend!). By the end, Christopher and I are like two John Lennons strumming air guitars to the melody of our conversation, minds melding with the wonder of intellectual kinship and, of course, a dash of brotherly harmony. So, tune in for a smart and heart-felt sing-along that'll leave you questioning the lyrics of your understanding and perhaps even whistling a brand-new tune.