That Tech Pod

Today Laura and Kevin speak with Marcus “Bellringer” Bell about using generative AI in music. We learn about Marcus' past as a child prodigy who started playing the piano at age two, wrote his first songs at eight, and started his own record label at 12. Marcus talks about the 100 Day Impact Challenge and how losing his voice led to his decision to use AI to clone his voice - that’s when the potential for creative innovation through AI tools blew his mind open. Marcus is pioneering the next era of creativity with his photorealistic AI Music Artist Character, Ravyn Lyte. Ravyn Lyte was created to impact societal issues for the better and her music has been designed with neuroscientists to embed sounds of peace and healing to soothe the soul. We also learn about Marcus' mother Carolyn Williams Bell, a pioneer in the American Tennis Association in 1961. The two co-authored the book Bellringer Branding Bible: The 5 Musician Branding Principles for Singers, Rappers, DJs, Music Producers, Composers, Writers, and Recording Artists. Finally, Marcus tells about using tools to create podcasts and Laura and Kevin sign-off for the final time as they decide to use AI for the pod going forward (just kidding!), Marcus is a true AI evangelist. You don't want to miss this episode!Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Marcus “Bellringer” Bell was a child prodigy who started playing the piano at age two, wrote his first songs at eight, and started his own record label at 12. His journey began at Berklee College of Music, where he honed his craft and graduated in 1996. Since then, Marcus has continuously pushed boundaries in music and entrepreneurship, embodying a legacy of innovation and empowerment in the entertainment industry.Today, Marcus is a multifaceted American music producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, singer, social media influencer, activist, and entrepreneur. As CEO of Bellringer Productions LLC, he oversees a powerhouse in music sync licensing and production, boasting a catalog of over 10,000 songs and nurturing more than 300 recording artists. His credits span industry giants such as Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dogg, Timbaland, and collaborations with major brands including Sony Music, HBO, Netflix, and Amazon.As a technophile exploring technology throughout his career, he decided to use AI to clone his voice to complete the last of the project. That’s when the potential for creative innovation through AI tools blew open. Marcus is not only shaping the industry with his billion-plus music streams but also pioneering the next era of creativity with his photorealistic AI Music Artist Character, Ravyn Lyte. Ravyn Lyte was created to impact societal issues for the better. In a world where emotions of hate and rage through music and lyrics are targeting young children, Rayvn Lyte’s music has been designed with neuroscientists to embed sounds of peace and healing to soothe the soul.

Today Laura and Kevin speak with Jared Russell and James Dobberstein about their innovative idea to revitalize Baltimore's real estate market. We talk about abandominiums, food deserts and how tech is impacting their plans. We learn about their crowd-sourced funding plan and their revolutionary supermarket idea. While this one is a little less techy than usual, its still an interesting coversation!Jared Russell, a lifelong resident of the DMV area, has developed a highly sophisticated and multidisciplinary approach to real estate, encompassing a wide range of transaction types and strategies. With over a decade of experience as both a realtor and investor, Jared has honed a unique ability to creatively explore and implement alternative transaction methods, tailored to meet diverse needs and scenarios.Throughout his career, Jared has been deeply involved in the investment and development of various property types. His primary focus has been on serving lower-income communities, where he has pioneered innovative programs and housing solutions designed to promote equitable opportunities and foster community growth. His commitment to these underserved areas underscores his dedication to creating meaningful, impactful change through real estate. James Dobberstein was born in Baltimore City and was adopted by his aunt and uncle who lived outside of DC. For nearly a decade, he has been actively engaged in the realms of real estate and development within Baltimore City, with a specialized focus on affordable housing. Throughout James' career, he dedicated himself to the development of both single-family and multi-family properties, targeting areas affected by urban blight and the challenges posed by abandoned properties. His efforts have been driven by a commitment to revitalizing these neighborhoods, aiming to alleviate the impact of property neglect and contribute to the overall enhancement of the city's housing landscape.

Today Kevin and Laura speak with Jennifer McIver, the Director of Legal Operations & Industry Insights at Wolters Kluwer about GenAI being just one of the tools in your tech toolbox. We discuss whether GenAI should be treated like predictive coding or MS365. Jen reminds us to remember the data and traditional AI tools. We talk enterprise legal management, spend software and legal analytics solution, e-signatures, legal prediction tools, case management tools, chatbots and e-Billing apps. We also hear Jen's divisive take on "tech she hates." This is a fun episode!Jennifer McIver is an attorney turned legal technologist with extensive experience helping corporate legal departments improve operational efficiency, spend management, and collaboration with outside counsel through the use and adoption of technology. As Director, Legal Operations & Industry Insights at Wolters Kluwer, Jennifer represents ELM Solutions at industry events, develops thought-provoking content, and dives deep with LegalVIEW to surface valuable data insights about rates and other industry trends.Laura and Kevin also chat about The Advocate Next Door, a new podcast from friends of the pod Kelby Ballena (our guest on pod 29 from 2021) and Margarita Rosa Arango. The Advocate Next Door is a podcast that covers genuine, in-person conversations with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Kelby and Margarita welcome guests who delve into their life and career journeys, exploring the passions and hobbies that drive them, and uncovering the stories behind their career choices. Each episode aims to reveal the personal side of professional paths, sharing inspiring tales of resilience, dedication, and the unique experiences that shape who they are today. They recently dropped their first 3 episodes. Check them out here.

Today Laura and Kevin chat with Levar Jackson, the Founder and CEO of Yogh Group, which works in partnership with Oregon State University to design sustainable technologies for the hospitality industry. They talk about sustainability being more than just resources — impacting economic, social, and environmental sectors. We hear about the amazing patented technologies for energy generation Yogh Group developed. We learn about the connection between sustainability and social impact and how that can be measured. We also learn of a trick to hack hotel A/C units. Yogh Group's technologies include the QuaiEnergy System for efficient electricity and AlgoHelix, an automated algae growth system designed to bring algae based products to all locations around the globe for sustainable food, beverages, beauty products, fuel and textiles. Yogh Group is also designing sustainable hotels, which include art museums, culinary institutes, and agricultural production — connecting co-supportive industries in one space.Levar serves as President of NEWH New York, which provides international resources for scholarships, education, business development, and excellence recognition in areas of hospitality, food service, senior living, and related fields.

On today's pod, Kevin and Laura speak with Matt Van Itallie about code transparency and GenAI. We talk about the risks with human-only code, GenAI-originated code and blended code and the risks of each for GenAI developers. We discuss the Github class action lawsuit and CoPilot. Matt gives us some best practices and practical advise. We find out if Matt is an introvert or an extrovert and being tech curious. We also talk about Matt's ability to explain tech to non-tech audiences and why that's important. Matt also talks about the fun of creating Peepshi, a playful combination of marshmallow Peeps and sushi.Matt Van Itallie is the Founder and CEO of Sema. He and his team have developed Comprehensive Codebase Scans, the most thorough and easily understandable assessment of a codebase and engineering organization. These scans are crucial for private equity and venture capital firms looking to make informed investment decisions. Sema has evaluated code within organizations that have a collective value of over $1 trillion. In 2023, Sema served 7 of the 9 largest global investors, along with market-leading strategic investors, private equity, and venture capital firms, providing them with critical insights. In addition, Sema is at the forefront of Generative AI Code Transparency, which measures how much code created by GenAI is in a codebase. They are the inventors behind the Generative AI Bill of Materials (GBOM), an essential resource for investors to understand and mitigate risks associated with AI-generated code.Before founding Sema, Matt was a Private Equity operating executive and a management consultant at McKinsey. He graduated from Harvard Law School and has had some interesting adventures, like hiking a third of the Appalachian Trail and biking from Boston to Seattle.

Today Laura and Kevin have Bruce Randall on the pod. Bruce is a thought leader who delves into AI's impact on human enhancement and consciousness. Bruce is currently working on his book "The AI Human Paradox," examining AI's transformative potential and regulatory challenges. We talk about the ethical impacts of AI advancements, such as brain-computer interfaces and superhuman capabilities. Bruce advocates for balanced regulatory frameworks to ensure safe and ethical AI integration. We also discuss superhumans, super soldiers, and more. Bruce's expertise goes beyond technology and business; his personal journey includes meditation, Reiki, and exploring the deeper aspects of human potential. These experiences provide unique insights into the human mind, enriching his perspective on AI and its societal implications.

Today Kevin and Laura speak with Ajay Malik about all things AI. As the former Head of Architecture/Engineering of the Worldwide Corporate Network at Google, Ajay is a technologist, business futurist, and prolific inventor with about 100 patents pending/issued specializing in Artificial Intelligence, Wi-Fi networking, Quantum computing, and Real Time Location. We talk about generative AI versus classic AI. We discuss which is the best LLM. We chat about the difference between AI and super intelligence. We also discuss expensive tech toys and early holiday gift ideas. We also learn that you can only have up to 30K LinkedIn connections (because Ajay is maxed out!)   Ajay Malik is the CEO of SECO MIND USA LLC, a company that builds StudioX, world’s leading enterprise AI platform to accelerate incorporating AI in business. Ajay has also held executive leadership positions at Meru Networks, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco, and Motorola. He completed B.E in Computer Science & Technology from IIT, Roorkee, India. Ajay Malik's unique blend of creativity, leadership, and technical expertise promises an engaging and enlightening experience for all attendees.Ajay Malik has founded and successfully sold multiple startups, led the exit of a public company, and has experience as a Section 16 officer. He has authored various books "RTLS for Dummies," "Augmented Reality for Dummies," "Artificial Intelligence for Wireless Networking," "First God, Then Man, Now AI - Generative AI".  

Today Laura and Kevin speak with Quinton Goddard, the Head of Solutions and  Sustainability for SquareTrade Europe. They chat about planned obsolescence and the right to repair, exploring how these issues impact both consumers and the environment. Quinton shares his expertise on how SquareTrade Europe is tackling sustainability, discussing the development of tools and processes and the broader implications for the insurance industry.  Quinton provides insights into how sustainability is being integrated into SquareTrade’s operations, ensuring that the company not only meets but exceeds its environmental responsibilities. They chat about Quinton's path from astronomer to the insurance sustainability guy, turning the Titanic, Jake from Statefarm, the Safelite jingle, and much more!  Quinton Goddard is the Head of Solutions & Sustainability for SquareTrade Europe. Quinton oversees the development and implementation of the region's sustainability strategy. In this role, he spearheads the creation of tools and processes to measure annual emissions, set reduction targets, monitor progress, and integrate sustainability across all facets of SquareTrade Europe.

Today Kevin and Laura speak with Jake Moshenko, the co-founder of AuthZed, a leader in permissions systems as a service. We talk about what its like to work for both Amazon and Google. We chat about Amazon's trick firings/secret PIPs and Jake's iPhone app for the game Big 2. We also talk about the challenges of building and selling to developers, his cofounding of Quay and using the Zanzibar papers as a guide. Laura also rants about Disney adults and gives her most controversial take ever about Taylor Swift fans. Check this one out! With his extensive background in developer tooling and distributed systems, Jake Moshenko is an expert in creating robust authorization software. He is passionate about developer experience and scalable infrastructure. AuthZed was founded by 3 successful entrepreneurs with expertise in enterprise software, most recently as leaders at Red Hat. Jake and Joey met on the APIs team at Google in 2010. They went on to found Quay, where Jimmy joined as their first hire. Over the past decade, they’ve changed the landscape for building and deploying software.

Today Laura and Kevin speak with Daniel Gold, Principal in Forensics and the eDiscovery Managed Services Leader for BDO. We talk about his origin story from law to legal tech leader. We talk about Athenagy and AI's impact on the industry. We discuss the shrinking of the billable hour, differentiating true AI from traditional keyword searching and myths vs. reality in legal tech. Daniel is the Principal in Forensics and the eDiscovery Managed Services Leader. He is the creator of BDO's Athenagy, the only patent pending business intelligence solution in the world that created a Common Data Model and data driven insights fueled by both RelativityOne and Microsoft Purview eDiscovery.Daniel has over 20 years of experience in the legal space. As a practicing lawyer, Daniel quickly identified that by appropriately harnessing new forms of legal technology, both lawyers and legal professionals could be vastly more productive and effective. This realization led Daniel to the legal service provider space and with it, came years of success at consulting with some of the largest corporate law departments and law firms across the country. Daniel’s experience in e-discovery technical consulting, consultative selling, as well as leading a national operations team for an IT managed services company has enabled him to provide a  comprehensive approach to how legal professionals can leverage technology to create a collaborative and dynamic approach to e-discovery. Daniel’s passion for managed services has made him a known thought leader in e-discovery.