When did you say ”THAT’S IT! I’VE HAD IT!”? Time to Disrupt and Interrupt with host Karla Jo. Every week KJ interviews professionals who are disrupting their industries and altering economic networks that have been antiquated with bull-headed predecessors holding up the progress.
KJ delves into uncovering more from industry rebels and innovators that you didn’t know you needed in your life.
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Disrupting Higher Ed: From Textbooks to NFL Deals—The New Path to Success, with Mateo Valdez
Season 4 · Episode 185
Thursday, July 3, 2025 • Duration 32:17
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
Disrupting Investor Gatekeeping: Scott Kitun Democratizes Access to High-Yield Alternatives
Season 4 · Episode 184
Thursday, June 26, 2025 • Duration 43:12
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
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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:
Disrupting the Psychometric Power Grab: Putting People Data in Everyone’s Hands with Russell Mikowski
Season 4 · Episode 183
Thursday, June 19, 2025 • Duration 41:18
Russell Mikowski is the CEO of SurePeople, a people intelligence platform, transforms workplace dynamics with AI-powered coaching and collaboration tools that enhance interactions, boost teamwork, and drive business success. In this episode, KJ and Russell explore the benefits of integrating these tools into everyday workflow applications like Slack and Zoom, enhancing communication, productivity, and employee morale. Russell also emphasizes the importance of understanding team dynamics and personal development.
Key Takeaways:
11:12 Challenges and Opportunities in Psychometric Assessments
20:28 The Impact of People Intelligence on Productivity
23:41 Impact on Workplace Productivity and Morale
25:34 Reducing Meeting Time to Combat Burnout
28:02 Introducing the Prism Psychometric Self-Assessment
30:36 The Future of AI and Human Interaction in the Workplace
Quote of the Show (15:00):
“Ten percent of employees get eighty percent of development investment,” – Russell Mikowski
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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:
Disruption in Education’s Future: Solving the AI Knowledge Gap in Academia with France Hoang
Season 4 · Episode 182
Thursday, June 12, 2025 • Duration 28:38
France Hoang is the Co-founder and CEO of BoodleBox, a collaborative GenAI platform for higher education that enables professors and students to work together responsibly with top AI tools. In this episode, KJ and France cover the importance of critical thinking, domain expertise, and responsible AI use in modern education.
Key Takeaways:
01:33 AI's Impact on Education
04:14 Challenges and Opportunities in AI-Driven Education
09:16 AI Readiness: Domain Expertise and Enablement
16:29 Real-World Applications and Benefits of AI in Education
18:16 Experiential Learning and Critical Thinking with AI
20:37 The Future of AI in Education and Lifelong Learning
Quote of the Show (5:00):
"AI is revolutionizing every industry, and education is on the front line of this change." – France Hoang
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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:
Disrupting the Broken Credit System: Blockchain, AI, and Verified Trust with Devon Shigaki
Season 4 · Episode 181
Thursday, June 5, 2025 • Duration 31:19
Devon Shigaki is the mind behind FreshCredit, a company that is dedicated to increasing access to credit on a global scale and empowering individuals to own and manage their own personal data. In this episode, KJ and Devon explore the broader implications of decentralized credit reporting, its simple yet groundbreaking application of blockchain, and the potential for creating a more inclusive financial landscape.
Key Takeaways:
03:56 The Problem with Current Credit Systems
06:57 The Controversy of Blockchain in Credit Reporting
13:28 Devon's Personal Experience with Identity Theft
18:35 FreshCredit's Innovative Solutions
Quote of the Show (14:00):
"Fear of not fixing the problem drives me." – Devon Shigaki
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
Disrupting Construction Complexity: The Tech-Driven Approach Saving Billions with Olfa Hamdi
Season 3 · Episode 180
Thursday, May 29, 2025 • Duration 35:22
Olfa Hamdi is the Co-Founder & CEO of Concord Project Technologies, a company helping project teams in asset intensive industries deliver superior results to their capital project organizations. In this episode, KJ and Olfa delve into the inefficiencies and outdated methods that plague the construction industry and discuss how Olfa's pioneering framework, Advanced Work Packaging (AWP), is transforming project management.
Key Takeaways:
15:20 The Importance of Early Involvement in Construction
17:26 Breaking Down the Status Quo
18:02 Empowering Through Micro Learning
18:55 Industry Adoption and Impact
Quote of the Show (18:00):
"Risk in construction projects is like energy. It transforms, it doesn't disappear." – Olfa Hamdi
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
Disrupting the Medical Workforce Crisis: AI’s Role in Solving Provider Shortages, with AK Cushman
Season 3 · Episode 179
Thursday, May 22, 2025 • Duration 40:28
Autumn Cushman is the Co-Founder & CEO of ShiftRx, a company solving the clinician shortage and building an autonomous staffing agent to reduce administrative burdens placed on clinicians and healthcare administrators; starting in pharmacy. In this episode, KJ and Autumn explore the systemic issues, shocking statistics, and real-life examples illustrating the urgent need for disruption and innovation in the healthcare industry.
Key Takeaways:
05:21 The Root Causes of Burnout and Staffing Issues
10:42 The Impact of Understaffing on Patient Care
17:12 Innovative Solutions: AI and Automation in Healthcare
20:37 Medical Errors and Administrative Burdens
25:23 Administrative Burdens in Rural Healthcare
Quote of the Show (24:00):
"By automating non-clinical tasks, we can increase provider salaries by 30-40%." - AK Cushman
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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:
Castleigh Johnson is the Founder and CEO of MyHomePathway, a company changing the mortgage acquisition process and expanding opportunities to achieve the American Dream. In this episode, KJ and Castleigh explore the historical context of redlining, the persistent wealth gap, and how innovative fintech solutions can foster equity and transform the mortgage landscape.
Key Takeaways:
02:17 Systemic Barriers in Financial Services
05:19 Historical Context: Redlining and Its Impact
09:41 Current Home Ownership Statistics
12:06 Economic Impact of First-Time Home Buyers
21:35 Understanding Mortgage Rejections
24:18 Transparency in Underwriting
Quote of the Show (11:00):
"Home ownership is a trillion-dollar opportunity, not just a societal issue." – Castleigh Johnson
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:
Disrupting Commercial Real Estate: Josef Pipoly’s AI Eliminates the Industry’s Biggest Bottleneck
Season 4 · Episode 177
Thursday, May 15, 2025 • Duration 36:10
Josef is the founder of BrikMate, a company using AI to transform how commercial real estate teams manage, analyze, and extract insights from complex lease data. In this episode, KJ and Josef delve into the importance of confidence and curiosity for innovators and the potential of AI to revolutionize the service industry.
Key Takeaways:
05:41 Evolution of Cybersecurity Threats
08:14 Modern Phishing and Social Engineering Tactics
10:32 Deepfake and Advanced Cyber Attacks
19:50 AI in Cybercrime: The Nigerian Email Scam
26:19 Future of Cybersecurity: AI vs. Human
Quote of the Show (19:00):
“The customer doesn't always know what they want. It takes someone who's confident, curious, and willing to take action" – Josef Pipoly
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
Disrupting Fear: Weaponizing AI to Beat Cybercriminals at Their Own Game with Ross Lazer
Season 3 · Episode 176
Thursday, May 8, 2025 • Duration 37:34
Ross Lazer is the Co-Founder and CEO of Mirage Security, a company using AI to simulate realistic spear-phishing attacks, including voice-based simulations using deepfakes, to train employees to recognize and resist social engineering tactics.In this episode, KJ and Ross uncover the evolving landscape of cybersecurity where attackers are increasingly targeting human weaknesses using sophisticated AI techniques. Ross reveals how Mirage Security is utilizing AI to simulate realistic phishing attacks, including voice and video deepfakes, to train employees and outsmart potential threats. They discuss the rapid advancements in social engineering tactics, the importance of contrarian thinking in innovation, and the future of cybersecurity training.
Key Takeaways:
05:41 Evolution of Cybersecurity Threats
08:14 Modern Phishing and Social Engineering Tactics
10:32 Deepfake and Advanced Cyber Attacks
19:50 AI in Cybercrime: The Nigerian Email Scam
26:19 Future of Cybersecurity: AI vs. Human
Quote of the Show (16:00):
“In cybersecurity, the real challenge isn't just the technology; it's transforming the human side from our greatest vulnerability into our strongest defense." – Ross Lazer
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:
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