The Future Of The Future

Jennifer Larson is back in our show to talk about her latest Coffee Shop adventures.I interviewed Jennifer last year to talk about Diversity in the Tech Industry through the lens of her 20+ years of experience in the field (episode 89 if you want to check it out).And then I met her in Minneapolis for Coffee, and she told me she was jumping on a new adventure, owning a Coffee Shop in Wisconsin.This is the story of how and why she decided to do that, and how things are coming along. The lessons she’s learned, what she likes, what she doesn’t like, and what’s next for the Coffee Shop and for her.She recorded the episode at the shop, during the last day of the season.  Enjoy!

When you get to a certain age in life, you start wondering. What are the next decades going to look like? What am I going to do during this time? How can I make the most of it?We reflect more on what success is, what makes us happy.On this podcast, I get to interview a lot of people that I admire. Today's guest, Dan O'Sullivan, is no exception. Dan has an impressive career in Sales. He is a passionate Leader that cares deeply about the growth of his team. He knows his success is directly related to the success of his people.Dan is a surfer. He loves the ocean. Talk to him about waves, and he won't stop smiling. He has surfed all over the world, but he has a special type of connection with the West African Coast region, where he is working with the NGO "Provide the slide" to help young people get into surfing and enjoy all the benefits and new perspectives in life that this sport provides.This is an episode about joy, giving, and surfing. This is the story of Dan O'Sullivan.Enjoy!

Today, we are diving into the critical connection between design and business success. For organizations striving to unlock the full potential of their design capabilities, our guest offers a blueprint for transforming the design function into a powerful strategic asset.Our guest is Dean T. Barker, author of Advance: How to Move Your Business Forward with Design Strategy. The book blends the best of design strategy with actionable insights, providing a robust framework of knowledge, process, and tools for design leadership.Dean’s expertise is extensive: he is one of the rare User Experience (UX) professionals who has been a successful consultant and led a large UX organization in a Fortune 100 company. His career spans over two decades in the design and development of software products.In our conversation, we will explore Dean’s experience and his story in the technology industry, his philosophy and methodology for design strategy and the reasons why this is so close to his heart.Whether you are new to the field or have decades of experience, you will find inspiration and valuable frameworks in this episode that will help make you indispensable to your organization.

What is magic? Is it an art? A performance? A show?How do we feel about it? and why?What is a magician? Maybe most importantly, who is a magician? How does a person become a magician and why?This is the story of Daniel K, a talented Magician from the small and remote country of Uruguay. And The only Uruguayan magician who made it to the historic Hollywood Magic Castle. How do you go from small performances for your family, in a remote 3 million people country, to Hollywood?Stay tuned, and enjoy the ride.

Today’s guest is Sandy Carter, a trailblazer at the intersection of technology, business, and innovation. From leading transformative growth at IBM and AWS to now serving as COO of Unstoppable Domains, Sandy has consistently been at the forefront of shaping how enterprises and consumers embrace emerging technologies.Recognized as one of the most influential women in Web3 and a passionate advocate for digital identity, she’s not only an accomplished executive but also an author of multiple influential books, including her latest, AI First, Human Always. Sandy brings a unique perspective on how culture, leadership, and “innovation superpowers” can empower organizations to thrive in disruptive times.In this conversation, we’ll explore her career journey, the convergence of AI and Web3, the cultural challenges of digital transformation, and the lessons she’s learned bringing both traditional and forward-looking brands into the future of decentralized technology.

Today’s guest is Laura King, a transformation guide, strategist, and author of Shine Brighter: The High Performer’s Guide to Purpose, Presence, and Peak Living. After conducting over 30,000 interviews and navigating her own journey through burnout, Laura has distilled powerful insights into how we can redefine success, not just by achieving more, but by aligning with who we truly are.In this conversation, we’ll explore what it means to step away from performance-based living, how to balance ambition with inner peace, and the practical tools Laura shares to help us all shine brighter in life and work.

Today, I’m joined by Joe Dunleavy — a technology leader with deep experience in software development and innovation. Joe has built his career at the intersection of strategy, engineering, and emerging technology, and today he’s helping teams harness the power of AI to transform the way software is built and delivered.In this conversation, we’ll explore Joe’s career journey and the milestones that brought him to his current role. We’ll dig into how his team is already using AI in their work, the changes AI is driving in software development today, and what the future might look like in the next few years. We’ll also talk about the biggest opportunities and risks AI introduces for developers and engineering teams, the evolving skillsets needed to succeed, and how culture plays a role in adapting to this new era.And finally, Joe will share his perspective on what it takes to thrive in a leadership role like his. Whether you’re a developer, a team lead, or just curious about where software is headed, this is a conversation packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

What does it take to lead a global, distributed team?What skills are needed to succeed? How can you get the most of your team members, no matter where they are located? How can you give them the most, and make them feel valued and integrated?These are some of the questions we will talk about today, with my guest John "Ten" Dougherty.We will also talk about his personal journey in technology, how he started leading teams, and what are the biggest joys and challenges that come with the role. And maybe, just maybe, we will get to know the reason behind his nickname "Ten". Tune in, and enjoy the ride.

Today, we’re diving deep into one of the most pressing challenges of our time: how to build artificial intelligence responsibly.My guest is Quentin Reul, a leader in AI ethics and governance, and an active contributor to the IEEE working group on AI Ethics Oversight. Quentin has spent years helping organizations unlock the potential of data and AI while keeping responsibility, transparency, and trust at the core.In this conversation, we’ll unpack some of the most urgent headlines in generative AI—from models resorting to manipulation and unsafe outputs, to the governance gaps that make these risks possible. Quentin will help us cut through the noise, explaining in plain language why these systems behave the way they do, what Responsible AI really means in practice, and how companies can start embedding ethical principles before—not after—something goes wrong.We’ll also explore the debates shaping the future of AI: additive vs. subtractive approaches to governance, the promise of hybrid neuro-symbolic systems, and the processes leaders often overlook in their rush to innovate. And finally, we’ll look ahead—what guardrails and cultural shifts will be needed to ensure AI remains not just powerful, but also sustainable and trusted?So, whether you’re an AI builder, policymaker, or just someone trying to make sense of the headlines, this episode will give you both a framework and a forward-looking perspective.Let’s dive in with Quentin Reul.

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Alex Blinov, a product and operations leader who’s helped shape high-performing teams across global companies. Currently at Zendrop, Alex is driving innovation in hybrid fulfillment models, blending technology and operations to empower e-commerce entrepreneurs around the world.In this conversation, we’ll explore how Alex transformed Zendrop’s product team into a metric-driven, high-velocity unit, his perspective on how AI will reshape fulfillment and global commerce, and the future of product operations in an increasingly remote, AI-assisted world. We’ll also dive into his unique background in physics and economics, and how those disciplines influence his approach to product leadership and strategy.Beyond work, Alex is a big advocate for personal well-being and balance in leadership, so we’ll discuss how leaders can sustain creativity, health, and decision-making in an era where AI takes over more of the operational load.Alex has a fascinating mix of rigor, vision, and humanity, and I’m excited to get into it. Let’s dive in.