Disruption / Interruption – Details, episodes & analysis

Mateo Valdez is the founder of Gonzaga Sport Consulting Group, providing business solutions to high-profile clients, bridging the gap between education and industry. In this episode, KJ and Mateo discuss how he identified and addressed gaps in traditional education by creating a student-led consultancy that provides real-world business solutions to major sports brands like the NFL, MLS, and New Balance.

Episode Highlights:

01:58 The Flaws of Traditional Education

12:35 The Arbitrary Nature of Education Systems

14:36 Why Sports Consultancy?

16:42 Challenges in Traditional Education

17:24 Combining Passion with Education

Quote of the Show (23:00):

"Don't be imprisoned by the status quo. Just because you hear everyone is doing something one way, doesn't mean you have to do it that way yourself." - Mateo Valdez

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Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Mateo Valdez:

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mateo-valdez

Company Website: https://www.gonzaga.edu 

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Kitun is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor. He currently serves as Advisor to the CEO at Republic, where he is building the infrastructure to enable retail investors to access private equity through tokenization. As a Strategic Advisor and Investor at KingsCrowd, Scott is helping to create the leading investment research and advisory firm for retail private markets, empowering everyday investors to make data-driven decisions in the private equity space. In this episode, KJ and Scott explore the impact of AI on the financial ecosystem and the need for investors to diversify to mitigate market volatility.

Episode Highlights:

09:11 The Underserved Market and Private Infrastructure

16:18 The Future of Retail Investing

23:43 Simplifying Transactions with Blockchain

24:20 Tokenization and Real-World Assets

26:25 Challenges in Retail Investment Access

36:25 Resources for Learning About Private Equity

Quote of the Show (16:00):

“Private equity in general has beat public stocks 19 out of 20 years…”- Scott Kitun

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Scott Kitun:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kitun/

Company Websites:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/republic.co/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/kingscrowd/

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elina Onitskansky is the founder & CEO of Ilant Health, a value-based center of excellence for obesity and cardiometabolic health. In this episode, KJ and Elina discuss the nuances of obesity care, the importance of personalized, evidence-based treatment, and the challenges of overcoming ineffective, fad-driven solutions. Elina shares her personal journey with obesity and her vision for a first-of-its-kind value-based center of excellence leveraging technology and analytics to treat obesity effectively.

Episode Highlights:

03:17 The Complexity of Obesity Treatment

18:10 Understanding BMI and Cardiometabolic Health

19:51 Understanding Obesity Categories

21:15 Obesity Statistics in the US

Quote of the Show (16:00):

"The reality is that we as a society have a belief that obesity is not a disease." - Elina Onitskansky

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Elina Onitskansky:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elinaonitskansky/

Company website: https://www.ilanthealth.com/

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bradford Crist is the Co-founder and CEO of ChargeMate, a groundbreaking ClimaTech company revolutionizing the electric vehicle (EV) charging experience to drive widespread EV adoption. In this episode, KJ and Bradford discuss the importance of reliable charging infrastructure for the adoption of electric vehicles and shares insights from his personal and professional journey in climate tech and mobility innovation. The conversation highlights the significant role of education, infrastructure development, and industry collaboration in accelerating the transition to a fully electric future.

Episode Highlights:

02:01 Understanding Charging Anxiety

03:47 The Reality of EV Charging Infrastructure

12:54 The Complexity of EV Charging Systems

15:33 Charge Mate's AI Solutions

Quote of the Show (04:00):

"Imagine going to a gas station and 20% of the time you can't fill up your tank. That's the reality for EV drivers today." – Bradford Crist

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Bradford Crist:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradford-crist-787a5519/ 

Company website: https://www.chargemate.ai/about 

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Prem Premsrirut is the Executive Director and CEO of Micoy Therapeutics, a pioneering biotech company dedicated to combating autoantibodies that transform common illnesses into life-threatening diseases. In this episode, KJ and Dr. Prem discuss the importance of understanding the immune system, the challenges of current diagnostic methods for autoimmune diseases, and the potential future of healthcare driven by innovative research.

Key Highlights:

03:46 The Fascination with the Human Body and Disease Prevention

04:39 Exploring Autoantibodies and Autoimmune Diseases

08:50 The Impact of COVID-19 on Autoimmune Research

11:48 The Role of Autoantibodies in Viral Infections

25:03 The Future of Healthcare and AI

Quote of the Show (29:00):

“Your body is fascinating. It's dynamic, and it's about preventing what tries to take that resilience away.” - Dr. Prem Premsrirut

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Dr. Prem Premsrirut:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/prem-premsrirut-36220125/

Company website https://www.micoytherapeutics.com/

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melinda Yormick is the Founder and CEO of CLARA, a hyper-accurate indoor navigation for patients and staff, including real-time positioning of staff and resources.  In this episode, KJ and Melinda how CLARA's technology can significantly improve operational efficiency, patient safety, and clinician satisfaction.

Key Highlights:

01:27 Transforming Patient Care

03:44 The Importance of Responsibility in Innovation

07:13 Challenges in Hospital Operations

21:24 How CLARA Revolutionizes Healthcare

Quote of the Show (21:00):

"Imagine a digital transformation in healthcare that turns our infrastructure into a glowing digital grid." – Melinda Yormick

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Melinda Yormick:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melinda-yormick/

Company website: https://www.claraguide.com/

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jolly Nanda is the Founder and CEO of Altheia Predictive Health, a scalable SaaS platform designed for small to mid-sized self-funded employer groups, health management, and managed care companies.  In this episode, KJ and Jolly discuss the importance of giving patients control over their health information to improve outcomes and emphasizes the need for a more preventative approach to healthcare. The episode also explores the challenges of funding such innovations and the significance of consumer advocacy in driving change.

Key Highlights:

01:52 The Problem with the Healthcare System

05:17 The Misdiagnosis Epidemic

10:36 The Core Issues in Healthcare

18:25 Empowering Consumers with Data

Quote of the Show (18:00):

"Let's shift from sick care to preventative care by empowering consumers with their health information." – Jolly Nanda

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Jolly Nanda:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jollynanda/

Company website: https://altheia.com/

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fred Fransen is the President of Ameritas College, an institution committed to redesigning the college experience as part of a global initiative to create prosperity and well-being through world-class education for everyone, everywhere, at a price anyone can afford. In this episode, KJ and Fred discuss his radical approach to education by transforming Huntington Junior College into Ameritas College, a non-profit institution focused on providing high-quality education tailored to the underserved. Fred's model integrates technology with human connection, aiming to foster real-world skills and self-reliance.

Key Takeaways:

03:14 The Current State of Education

09:16 The Impact of Employer Testing Policies

15:24 Administrative Bloat and Rising Costs

25:37 Buying a College

29:49 Innovative Education Models

30:50 Serving Underserved Communities

Quote of the Show (27:00):

"Education isn't just about credentials; it's about reshaping experiences to truly empower." - Fred Fransen

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Fred Fransen:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredfransen/

College Website: https://ameritas.edu/

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KG Charles-Harris is the Co-Founder and CEO of Quarrio, a software company that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to make it easy for average business users to do advanced reporting and analytics without learning any new skills. In this episode, KJ and KG cover industry use cases, particularly in healthcare and manufacturing, the importance of information cycle time, and how Quarrio is revolutionizing decision-making with its innovative solutions. KG also touches on the benefits of having a diverse and talented team, maintaining work culture, and blending humanity with technology.

Key Takeaways:

04:57 The Complexity of Data in Modern Enterprises

08:42 The Revolutionary Impact of Quarrio's Technology

14:46 Challenges and Successes in Implementing Quarrio

Quote of the Show (18:00):

“If it takes more than three minutes to learn, user adoption falls precipitously.”– KG Charles-Harris

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with KG Charles-Harris:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kgcharlesharris/

Company Website: https://quarrio.com/

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest is rewriting the rules of digital trust and security. Imagine a world where your identity is protected by a groundbreaking device — a computer embedded inside a credit card, complete with biometric sensors. This isn’t sci-fi; it’s the disruptive reality created by today’s visionary.

With over 25 years of leadership in space systems, secure digital platforms, and game-changing innovation, this guest is not just building technology—he’s building the future. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Sentry Enterprises, he’s tackling the root causes of identity threats, reshaping cybersecurity, and making these cutting-edge solutions scalable and accessible for everyone.

A member of Abundance360 and the Planetary Society, he’s fueled by a passion for uniting humanity through technology and breaking the boundaries of what’s possible in the digital age.

Key Takeaways:

01:09 - The Problem with Traditional Identity Systems

11:20 - Credentials vs. True Identity

13:18 - Biometrics as the Future of Identity

19:41 - The Threat of Deepfakes and AI

28:43 - Decentralized Finance and Global Accessibility

36:35 - Adoption as the Biggest Challenge, and Optimism for the Future

Quote of the Show:

36:08: “I do think there's going to be disruption in jobs in those kinds of things, but I think there's also going to be just an equal number of opportunities. I'm very optimistic about the future. I think we're going to see massive, rapid advances in, in healthcare, efficiencies in, and everything in an industry to government is related to these sort of tools. When it comes specifically to digital identity, the good news is that technology is here to solve those problems. Right. The biggest challenge is adoption. But, as with anything, when there's a pain point and people want it, it will get adopted, right? And, we're working and others are working with the right partners in the world, the government and others to solve these kinds of problems. So I think people should leave thinking that we have a very bright future in front of us. And despite political turmoil, all those kinds of things. Those are very short lived. The human species has proven to be very resilient. And that's beautiful.”

Podcast Information

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Mark Bennett:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwbennett

Website: https://sentryenterprises.com/

How to get more Disruption/Interruption:

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption
Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.