Your Phone Is Spying on You 24/7 – Data CEO Reveals Big Tech's Dark Secrets

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Nov 18, 2025

In this engaging conversation, Mike Ford, CEO of Skydeo, shares his journey from a garage startup to a major player in the data industry. He reveals how smartphones predict user behavior and monetize everyday habits through apps, turning them into advertising gold. Listeners learn about the role of deterministic data in targeting, the impact of AI on audience generation, and why data is now the new oil. Mike also discusses securing funding, the hidden economy of consumer data, and urges everyone to prioritize their health with preventative scans.

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ANECDOTE

From Garage To Super Bowl

Mike started multiple internet companies and launched computer.com with a Super Bowl ad from his garage.
That early publicity and domain ownership opened doors and investor interest.

ADVICE

Pick The 'Super Bowl' Of Your Industry

Make a big splash at the largest event in your industry rather than blindly buying Super Bowl spots.
Choose the high-impact stage that matches your product and audience.

INSIGHT

AI Shrinks Search Clickthroughs

AI-first search reduces clickthroughs to publisher sites by answering queries directly.
Advertisers must adapt as traditional search traffic declines.

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This episode sponsored by Skydeo LightSpeed VT: https://www.lightspeedvt.com/

Dropping Bombs Podcast: https://www.droppingbombs.com/

In this revealing Dropping Bombs episode, Mike Ford, CEO of Skydeo, breaks down the massive data industry that powers modern advertising. From his garage startup with a Super Bowl commercial to building one of the largest data companies in America, Mike explains exactly how "free" apps actually make billions—by turning your everyday habits into precision advertising gold.

Think your phone is just listening? It's worse—it's predicting what you'll do next. Mike reveals the real business model behind your smartphone: how apps legally collect data, why companies pay millions for insights, and how this enables eerily accurate ads. From a near-death experience to a mushroom trip launching Skydeo, this is an entrepreneurial journey of turning data into empire. Learn why data is the new oil, how targeting actually works, and what every business owner needs to know about the internet's hidden economy.

🔗 Resources

🌐 Skydeo — https://skydeo.com/

🌐 App Building Tool — https://www.builder.io/

Guest Socials:

📲 Mike Ford Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/mike_timespace/

🎵 Mike Ford TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@mike.ford

👤 Mike Ford LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeford/

Watch the full-length video version of any Dropping Bombs episode here on YouTube.

Brad Lea is a self-made entrepreneur who turned small-town grit into a multi-million-dollar empire. With over 25 years dominating sales and leadership, he's mentored thousands to outsmart, outwork, and out win their competition. His top-rated podcast, Dropping Bombs, brings raw, game-changing insights from the biggest names in business.

LightSpeed VT is Brad's brainchild—the world's leading interactive training platform. It's built to make your team sharper, faster, and more effective, without wasting time or money. Whether you're a startup or a Fortune 500, LightSpeed VT is how you scale success and dominate your industry. Curious? Check it out:

https://www.lightspeedvt.com/

Brad's also behind Closer School, the go-to program for mastering sales and closing deals like a pro. Want to 10x your income? This is where you start. His book, The Hard Way, lays out the brutal, honest lessons he learned building his empire—your blueprint to winning the game. Get it here: https://bradlea.com/product/the-hard-way/

This isn't just a video. It's a wake-up call. Watch it. Share it. Act on it.

Closer School: https://www.closerschool.com/cs