Mixed Reality Headsets, Jason Momoa’s CPG Pivot, NASA x Oakley, Gen Z Careers, and Gaming AI with Cathy Hackl, Lee Kebler, and Jeff Shardell

On this TechMagic episode, hosts Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler welcome Jeff Shardell, founder and CEO of Humble Brands, to hear about his journey from leading at Google to redefining sustainability in the CPG world. Jeff shares how his tech background shaped his approach to eco-friendly product design, scaling consumer goods, and building an authentic celebrity partnership with Jason Momoa. 

Cathy and Lee also dive into cutting-edge mixed reality news, from ByteDance’s lightweight Pico headset to Oakley’s NASA visor collaboration. Plus, how Gen Z’s gaming habits are reshaping career paths. With updates on AI’s impact on gaming jobs and Roblox’s new adult dating features, this episode bridges the worlds of innovation, sustainability, and immersive tech. The hosts also preview what’s coming in Season 3 after their summer break.

Come for the Tech, stay for the Magic!

Jeff Shardell Bio

Jeff Shardell is the CEO and Founder of Humble Brands, a sustainable personal care company known for its natural deodorants and eco-friendly packaging. With a distinguished background in tech leadership, including roles at Google during its early growth phase and Netscape, Jeff leveraged his experience scaling companies to revolutionize the CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) industry. He co-founded gloss.com, which was later acquired by Estée Lauder, before launching Humble Brands with a mission to create better-for-you personal care products while reducing environmental impact.

Jeff Shardell on LinkedIn

Key Discussion Topics:

• 00:00 Intro and Welcome Back, Cathy
• 04:15 Music, AI and the Future of Live Entertainment
• 13:12 AI's Impact on Gaming: Candy Crush Layoffs & Industry Changes
• 29:18 Jeff Shardell: From Google Executive to Humble Brands Founder
• 35:00 Building Authentic Celebrity Partnerships in CPG
• 40:23 Sustainable Innovation: Beyond Plastic Packaging
• 51:35 ByteDance's New Mixed Reality Hardware & Industry Trends
• 56:20 Space Tech: Oakley's NASA Visor Collaboration
• 01:00:31 Gen Z Gaming Skills Becoming Career Opportunities
• 01:07:08 Season Wrap-up & Summer Break Announcement

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