In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas speaks with Roland Austrup, Chief Growth Officer and Executive Committee member at Innventure?an industrial growth platform that transforms validated R&D from multinational corporations into high-growth standalone companies. With deep experience as CFO, Head of Capital Markets, and now CGO, Roland brings decades of financial and strategic expertise to the challenge of commercializing breakthrough technologies.

Roland shares lessons learned from scaling industrial tech companies, including underestimated lead times, capital intensity, and the slow, trust-driven adoption cycles of risk-averse industrial buyers. He explains why success requires adaptability, a clear capital strategy, and a realistic view that ?if you build it, they will come? rarely applies in this sector.

He also breaks down how Innventure?s model differs from traditional venture and corporate venture approaches. Instead of spread betting on startups, Innventure builds and operates its own companies, leveraging the massive ?ore body? of R&D inside global enterprises. Their approach overcomes corporate barriers such as siloed structures, low risk tolerance, and misalignment between innovation and core business metrics?acting as a bridge between proven technologies and entrepreneurial execution.

Looking ahead, Roland explores the macroeconomic and technological forces reshaping industrial growth?from inflation and geopolitics to aging workforces and reshoring trends. Despite headwinds, he sees significant tailwinds in Industry 4.0 advancements, including AI and industrial robotics, which he believes will unlock major productivity gains and drive strong North American growth.

A thoughtful and forward-looking conversation for innovators, investors, industrial leaders, and anyone navigating the future of advanced manufacturing and commercialization.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Joshua Scott, Vice President of Security at Hydrolix and a veteran with nearly 30 years of experience turning complex security risks into clear business value. Josh shares how Hydrolix is redefining what?s possible with massive-scale log data?processing everything from terabytes to petabytes and delivering insights in seconds.

Josh breaks down why security leaders must speak the language of business, translating technical risk into financial and operational impact to earn executive alignment. He also unpacks the challenges of securing data at extreme velocity and scale, the growing need for automation, and why the next generation of security leaders will win by leveraging AI as an accelerator?not a replacement.

Looking ahead, Josh discusses how AI-generated attacks, identity misuse, supply-chain compromises, and automated phishing will reshape security programs over the next three to five years. His message is clear: AI will empower defenders and attackers alike, and success will depend on how effectively teams adopt automation, prioritize intelligently, and stay ahead of rapidly evolving threats.

A timely, insightful conversation for CISOs, security leaders, and technology executives navigating today?s increasingly complex cyber landscape.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Maksim Ovsyannikov, a veteran enterprise product leader with over 25 years of experience shaping productivity solutions across supply chain, HR, marketing automation, customer success, and CRM. Now leading product and design at SugarCRM, Maksim shares how his diverse background led him to focus on redefining CRM for the AI-native era.

Maksim breaks down why traditional CRMs fail sellers, how SugarCRM?s ?precision selling? framework addresses the gap, and the four critical components that enable AI to transform seller productivity: delivering better leads, identifying risks, improving preparedness, and empowering coaching. He also unpacks the difference between augmentation AI and generative AI?and why the real risk isn?t AI taking jobs, but humans losing jobs to those who master AI.

Looking ahead, Maksim predicts that nearly all enterprise software will soon be built around AI-driven workflows that deliver outcomes, not just dashboards. He explains how conversational and agentic AI will reshape seller experiences, enabling more intuitive, human-like interactions and dramatically higher productivity.

A forward-looking conversation for anyone interested in the future of CRM, sales technology, and AI-driven enterprise software.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Piet Buyck, global technology executive, AI strategist, and author of AI Compass for SC Leaders. With more than 30 years leading innovative IT solutions, Piet is on a mission to make AI-driven planning easy, accessible, and human-centered.

Piet introduces the concept of the AI Compass?a framework that blends generative, agentic, and narrow AI to guide leaders through the complexities of modern supply chain planning. Instead of treating AI as just another tool, the compass helps organizations navigate uncertainty, break down functional silos, and move toward a more adaptive, holistic decision-making model.

He emphasizes that AI should never replace humans, but instead amplify their judgment. Piet explains how to operationalize a ?human + AI? decision model using a balance of accuracy, transparency, and fairness?determining what to automate, what to supervise, and what must remain human-led.

The conversation explores why supply chain planning has remained stubbornly manual despite decades of technological progress. Piet outlines entrenched habits?rigid processes, siloed KPIs, and opaque numbers?that prevent companies from becoming AI-first. He shows how organizations can shift toward a more dynamic, assumption-driven, data-aware planning culture.

Looking ahead, Piet describes the cultural transformation required for supply chain teams to thrive in an AI-augmented world: embracing continuous learning, developing data literacy, unlearning outdated practices, and building confidence to collaborate with AI systems rather than fear them. With the right mindset and governance, he believes companies can unlock massive value?far beyond traditional planning improvements.

A must-listen for supply chain leaders, innovators, and anyone navigating the intersection of AI and organizational transformation.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Dr. Hany Demian, physician innovator, regenerative medicine pioneer, and CEO of the Biop Spine Institute. With over 20 years of experience treating chronic pain, Dr. Demian has shifted away from traditional pain management toward a groundbreaking model that blends AI-driven diagnostics, cellular-level therapies, and microinvasive procedures?all aimed at restoring the body rather than simply masking symptoms.

Dr. Demian shares the personal and professional turning point that pushed him to transform his approach: patients repeatedly returning with the same pain, coupled with his own struggles with chronic spine and joint issues. This inspired his mission to move beyond management and into true healing. Today, his clinics combine biologic treatments such as stem cells, PRP, and peptides with data-guided rehabilitation and AI-based predictive modeling that assesses lifestyle, genetics, wearables, inflammation markers, and more.

He explains how AI is unlocking unprecedented insights?predicting who will develop back pain, how quickly degeneration will occur, and which interventions will work best. Inspired by early breakthroughs in AI-driven cardiac prediction, Dr. Demian believes spine and joint care will soon shift from reactive to proactive, catching problems 5?10 years before they become symptomatic.

Looking ahead, Dr. Demian envisions a radical shift in musculoskeletal care:

He predicts a future where aging becomes a ?modifiable condition,? supported by advanced stem cell treatments, peptides, exosomes, genetic insights, and healthier lifestyle habits now emerging in younger generations.

Dr. Demian?s optimistic, science-backed vision points toward a world where chronic pain is rare, mobility is preserved, and humans age healthier and stronger than ever before.

A fascinating conversation for anyone interested in regenerative medicine, longevity, AI in healthcare, and the future of pain-free living.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Chirag Agrawal, a senior technologist and AI infrastructure expert with deep experience building large-scale platforms, distributed systems, and multi-agent orchestration for Alexa. With over a decade in advanced AI systems, Chirag shares his perspective on what it really takes to move from ?having a model? to running resilient, scalable AI agents in production.

Chirag explains why models should be treated as dependencies?not the product itself?and why teams repeatedly fall into the trap of building agents from scratch instead of relying on proven frameworks. He unpacks the often-overlooked complexity behind agent systems: retrieval, tool orchestration, memory, context compression, caching, evaluation frameworks, and guardrails that must be treated as first-class components.

The conversation dives into the balance between developer freedom and architectural discipline, highlighting how strong developer tooling actually accelerates experimentation while enforcing performance, safety, and reliability across teams.

Chirag also details the key operational metrics that matter most in production agent platforms?from latency breakdowns to token usage patterns to offline quality metrics?and discusses the art of navigating trade-offs across quality, cost, and speed.

Looking ahead, Chirag emphasizes that ethics, bias mitigation, auditability, and transparency must be embedded at the foundational layer of AI platforms. He highlights the importance of interoperability standards such as MCP and A2A, predicting a future where agents discover, authenticate, and collaborate across systems?much like the evolution from early mobile apps to fully mature ecosystems.

He paints a future shaped by an ?internet of agents?: interconnected, multi-agent systems that share capabilities while maintaining their own governance boundaries?a transformative step toward next-generation production AI infrastructure.

A must-listen for engineering leaders, AI builders, and anyone navigating the challenges of deploying agentic AI at scale.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Jack Griffin, CEO of Light Up Ventures and bestselling author of Luminary. As a certified executive coach with experience supporting leaders at Google, Meta, Amazon, and Yahoo, Jack specializes in helping tech executives strengthen their leadership through compelling storytelling, systems thinking, and personal development.

Jack shares the defining moment that inspired Light Up Ventures: witnessing a senior leader lose an entire audience due to uninspired communication. That experience sparked his mission to ?illuminate? leaders and address what he sees as a global crisis in communication?one that costs organizations over $1.2 trillion annually in lost productivity, turnover, and customer churn.

Throughout the conversation, Jack breaks down what separates top-tier leaders from the rest. He highlights the power of systems thinking, referencing Peter Senge?s The Fifth Discipline, and the importance of blending informative and inspirational communication. Using vivid metaphors?like mastering a wood-burning fire near his home in Lake Tahoe?Jack explains how great leaders recognize their role within a larger system and communicate in ways that spark clarity and connection.

He also discusses why storytelling is an essential executive skill, especially in today?s world where leaders are inundated with emails, texts, and constant digital noise. Story structure, narrative arcs, and memorable delivery help messages break through the clutter and truly resonate. Jack emphasizes that storytelling is both content (?the story?) and delivery (?the telling?), with nonverbal communication often carrying more weight than words.

Drawing on experiences in more than 40 countries?including a decade of youth leadership work in Haiti?Jack reflects on the global perspectives that shape his coaching today. Above all, he believes humility is the defining trait of leaders people genuinely want to follow. Whether in boardrooms or in communities with limited resources, he has seen firsthand how gratitude, humility, and servant leadership build trust and human connection.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Jesse Lipson, founder and CEO of Levitate, a relationship marketing platform helping small businesses build genuine, human connections at scale. A seasoned entrepreneur, Jesse previously founded ShareFile, growing it to millions of users before its acquisition by Citrix, and has since become a key leader in North Carolina?s tech ecosystem.

Jesse shares the inspiration behind Levitate?observing firsthand how traditional CRMs and marketing automation tools fall short for relationship-driven businesses. Instead of mass-blast, transactional communication, he saw a need for a platform built around authentic, personal outreach?the kind that drives referrals, trust, and long-term loyalty.

He discusses Levitate?s recent expansion into healthcare, where providers face unique challenges: limited staff, increasing competition, and the delicate balance between efficiency and personalized patient communication. Jesse explains how Levitate?s software-plus-services model helps practices stay top-of-mind with patients, maintain a strong online presence, and offload time-consuming content creation so practitioners can focus on care.

Looking ahead, Jesse explores how AI will shape the future of relationship-driven software. Rather than replacing personal connection, he believes AI should enhance it?helping professionals remember meaningful details, reach out at the right moments, and scale genuine communication without losing the human touch.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Mike Miglio, CEO and founder of DEIN, the decentralized marketplace transforming how risk and insurance function across the DeFi ecosystem. With a deep history in crypto law, blockchain protocols, and decentralized innovation, Mike brings firsthand insight into why insurance?at its core?is really about trust.

Mike explains how DEIN aims to replace reputation-driven DeFi risk assessment with transparent, on-chain market dynamics. Instead of relying on hype, VCs, or exchange listings, DEIN enables users to ?put their money where their mouth is,? allowing free-market underwriting to determine real-time pricing, utilization, and perceived trustworthiness of any protocol. Built on modular, multi-chain architecture spanning more than 150 networks, DEIN makes it possible to add coverage for new chains and assets within minutes.

He also discusses the challenge of pricing risk in a rapidly evolving DeFi landscape?where only a decade of fragmented data exists?and how DEIN uses bonding-curve economics and siloed pools to maintain capital stability and underwriting discipline. As the platform scales globally, Mike shares how DEIN surfaces relevant risks based on wallet activity, ensuring users aren?t overwhelmed despite the platform?s massive coverage universe.

Looking ahead, Mike outlines the milestones needed for decentralized insurance to reach mainstream adoption, from launching a true autonomous DAO to eventually expanding into life, property, and real-world asset insurance. His long-term vision: DEIN becoming the trust backbone for global risk, where thousands of daily claims are adjudicated by token holders who earn income participating in a fully decentralized insurance economy?empowering users, not intermediaries.

A compelling discussion for anyone interested in DeFi, risk markets, blockchain governance, and the future of global insurance.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with David Windley, CEO and Executive Chairman of HootRecruit, the AI-powered talent sourcing platform reshaping how companies find and engage top talent. With a distinguished HR leadership background at Yahoo and Microsoft, David brings decades of expertise to his mission: transforming recruiting through intelligent automation?without eliminating the human touch.

David explains how advancements in AI inspired him to rethink traditional recruiting workflows as early as 2015, identifying opportunities where technology could dramatically accelerate sourcing while improving quality. He breaks down how HootRecruit?s full agentic AI platform instantly parses job descriptions, discovers matched candidates, and generates assessment insights?while recruiters remain firmly in control of final decisions.

The conversation dives into how HootRecruit delivers 4x faster hiring and reduces time spent on manual sourcing by up to 95%, not by cutting corners but by shifting human effort to deeper, qualitative evaluation. David emphasizes that AI?s true value is its ability to handle massive, time-consuming tasks?freeing recruiters to focus on culture fit, engagement, and meaningful human judgment.

David also shares his long-standing belief in flexible, outcome-based work. He predicts that recruiting technology will play a key role in enabling more inclusive, hybrid, and performance-focused workplace models?where what you deliver matters far more than where you sit.

A thoughtful and energizing discussion for HR leaders, founders, and anyone curious about how AI and human expertise will shape the future of talent.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, Brian Thomas welcomes Dr. Duane Varan, CEO of MediaScience and MediaPet, and one of the world?s most published researchers in advertising science. Dr. Varan shares the remarkable story of how a call from Disney unexpectedly pulled him from academia into commercial research?leading to the creation of the Disney Ad Innovation Lab and ultimately the rise of MediaScience as a global leader in audience measurement.

Dr. Varan explains how neuro metric tools?skin conductance, heart rate, facial coding?reveal the real emotional story behind audience reactions, often contradicting traditional surveys. He highlights surprising findings from political debates, global campaigns, and cross-cultural studies, showing how unconscious responses drive far more than people admit.

The conversation takes a critical turn as Dr. Varan warns about the industry?s growing reliance on unvalidated AI ?attention scores,? calling them a major risk to decision-making and scientific rigor. He contrasts this with promising breakthroughs, including MediaPet?s ability to recreate big-budget ads with AI in hours?delivering the same impact as originals and transforming how brands test creative concepts.

From ethics and transparency to the next decade of AI-driven creative development, Dr. Varan offers a candid, insightful look at the future of advertising and why the industry must balance innovation with evidence-based science.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Erik Braund, founder and CEO of Katmai?a groundbreaking virtual office platform designed to restore spontaneity, human connection, and real collaboration in the age of meeting overload.

Erik shares his journey from music and video production to building one of the most innovative remote-work platforms on the market. He discusses how his creative background, love for hardware, and pandemic-era problem-solving led to Katmai?s radically different approach: a browser-based virtual workspace where face-to-face interactions feel natural, meetings shrink from 54 minutes to 14, and 90% of collaboration happens spontaneously?just like a real office.

He breaks down the technical challenges behind Katmai?s unique video-driven avatars, why they built their own 3D engine, and how five years of working entirely inside their own product shaped its evolution. Erik also talks about the shift away from meeting recordings toward AI-powered summaries, the limitations of VR headsets for daily work, and why presence?not more tech?is the future of hybrid collaboration.

If you're ready to rethink meetings, remote culture, and the future of work, this conversation offers a refreshing, human-centered roadmap to what comes next.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes renowned futurist, bestselling author, and strategic advisor Daniel Burrus. As the creator of the Hard Trends methodology and the Anticipatory Organization model, Daniel teaches leaders how to predict disruption before it happens?and turn certainty into a competitive advantage.

Daniel breaks down the power of distinguishing hard trends (future facts) from soft trends (assumptions), explaining how this clarity reduces uncertainty and empowers organizations to make bold, confident moves. He shares real-world examples, his global work with Fortune 500 executives, and the learning systems he?s developed to train teams to reliably identify and act on emerging trends.

The conversation explores the difference between everyday innovation?pre-solving predictable problems?and exponential innovation, which enables organizations to become proactive disruptors rather than victims of disruption. Daniel emphasizes that trends only matter when paired with opportunity, creating a roadmap for growth, transformation, and strategic clarity.

Looking ahead, Daniel highlights the most underestimated hard trend of the coming decade: the rising importance of trust in an era of generative AI and increasing disinformation. While technology accelerates, he argues, the enduring differentiator will be human relationships and trustworthiness.

A powerful discussion for leaders seeking to anticipate change, align their organizations, and build a future grounded in both innovation and integrity.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, Brian Thomas welcomes Santosh Kaveti, CEO and founder of ProArch, a leader in cloud, data, app modernization, and cybersecurity solutions. With over 18 years of experience as a technologist, entrepreneur, investor, and advisor, Santosh shares the pivotal lessons that shaped his approach to building technology services?including the realization that technology alone is never the solution; people, processes, and change management are the true drivers of success.

Santosh highlights how a failed early deployment taught him the importance of co-creating with clients, embedding teams, and always starting with the business ?why.? He then breaks down ProArch?s holistic digital transformation model: cloud as horsepower, data as fuel, apps as the vehicle, and security as the steering system?all essential and integrated, especially as IT and OT converge in sectors like energy and manufacturing.

He also warns of rising threats, from shadow AI to unpatched OT environments, and emphasizes building a culture where security is a shared responsibility. Looking ahead, Santosh predicts a shift from experimental to embedded AI, the rise of verticalized AI models, and AI moving to the edge with SLMs powering real-time insights.

For leaders preparing for the next decade, Santosh stresses: get your data house in order, build AI governance, rethink talent around skills, and design AI-native?rather than AI-bolted-on?workflows.

A forward-looking conversation on resilience, innovation, and the future of enterprise technology.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, Brian Thomas sits down with Nicolas Genest, veteran CTO, two-time CEO, and founder of CodeBoxx Technology Academy. With a career spanning multiple hypergrowth startups?The RealReal, ModCloth, Veepee (Vente Privée), and Walmart?Nicolas shares the turning point that shifted his mission from building companies to building people.

Nicolas explains how years of leading high-performing teams revealed a core truth: success in technology is never about the stack?it?s about the people behind it. That insight led him to create CodeBoxx, an AI-first training model that transforms individuals from all backgrounds?waiters, nurses, drivers, baristas?into business-minded, AI-empowered technologists.

He dives into how generative AI has leveled the playing field, making coding no longer a barrier to entry and ushering in a ?new kind of smart? driven by grit, customer intuition, and real-world experience. Nicolas also breaks down the four pillars behind the award-winning GEM Chatbot, built for GoodwillFinds and named 2025 AI Chatbot Solution of the Year?from deep conversational design to continuous performance monitoring.

Looking ahead to 2030, Nicolas envisions a world where AI-driven software development allows business leaders to express requirements in natural language, eliminating traditional interpretation barriers. CodeBoxx aims to guide this shift by teaching the next generation how to harness AI tools, think critically, and build user-focused outcomes at unprecedented speed.

This conversation offers a forward-looking take on AI?s impact on talent, education, and the future workforce?and how organizations can thrive by empowering the right people.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Yakir Golan, CEO and Co-founder of Kovrr, a global leader in cyber and AI risk quantification. Drawing from his early career in Israeli intelligence and later roles in software, hardware, and product management, Yakir explains how his background shaped his holistic approach to understanding complex, interconnected risk systems.

Yakir breaks down why quantifying AI and cyber risk?rather than relying on subjective, color-coded scoring?is becoming essential for enterprise leaders, boards, and regulators. He explains how Kovrr?s new AI Risk Assessment and Quantification module helps organizations model real financial exposure, understand high-impact ?tail risks,? and align security, GRC, and finance teams around a shared, objective language.

Looking ahead, Yakir discusses how global regulation, including the EU AI Act, is accelerating the need for measurable, defensible risk management. He outlines a future where AI risk quantification becomes a board-level expectation and a foundation for resilient, responsible innovation. Through Kovrr?s mission, Yakir aims to equip enterprises with the same level of intelligence-driven decision making once reserved for national security?now applied to the rapidly evolving digital risk landscape.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with futurist and founder of M7 Innovations, Matt Maher. Named one of Vogue?s Top 100 Innovators of 2024, Matt shares how his journey from major media firms to launching M7 positioned him at the forefront of AI, immersive tech, and the evolving internet.

He discusses how brands can thrive in the new age of AI-powered search through his ?Align, Design, Refine? framework, and why spatial computing could help us reclaim our attention from smartphones. From MIT labs to the latest wearables, Matt reveals how curiosity, human insight, and emerging technology are shaping a more connected, intelligent future.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Dr. Robert B. Kerstein, a pioneer in digital occlusal analysis and long-time advocate for advancing dental science through technology. A former Tufts University professor and prosthodontic expert, Dr. Kerstein has spent decades perfecting how dentists measure and correct the human bite using T-Scan technology?the world?s first computerized system for analyzing occlusal forces in real time.

Dr. Kerstein explains how early tools like articulating paper and ink, still used in many dental offices today, fail to accurately measure bite pressure?often leading to patient discomfort, prosthesis failure, and repeat visits. In contrast, the T-Scan system captures dynamic force and timing data, allowing clinicians to deliver faster, more precise, and minimally invasive bite adjustments.

He details how digital occlusal analysis not only improves patient comfort but also reduces remakes, chair time, and long-term complications?transforming both clinical outcomes and dental practice efficiency. Looking ahead, Dr. Kerstein envisions a future where AI-driven occlusal insights and digital workflows become standard, closing the final gap in modern dentistry?s digital transformation.

Whether you?re a dental innovator, clinician, or technology enthusiast, this episode reveals how measured digital occlusion is redefining what?s possible in patient care and precision dentistry.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Kaarel Kotkas, founder and CEO of Veriff, a global leader in digital identity verification trusted by brands like Uber and Bumble.

Kaarel shares how a childhood experience on a small island in Estonia sparked his lifelong mission to make the internet safer. What began as a teenager?s curiosity about online IDs evolved into Veriff, a company now protecting millions of users worldwide through AI-driven, video-based verification and behavioral data analysis.

He explains why digital identity verification can be even more secure than face-to-face checks, using thousands of data points for objective, accurate decision-making. Kaarel also discusses how Veriff balances automation and human creativity to outsmart emerging threats like deepfakes and synthetic identities, keeping humans ?in the loop? where it matters most.

Looking ahead, Kaarel envisions a borderless identity ecosystem?a ?pattern of trust? built from our digital interactions rather than government-issued documents. His goal: a world where everyone, everywhere, has equal access to secure online services based on trust, not geography.

Whether you?re passionate about AI, cybersecurity, or the digital economy, this episode offers a visionary look at how technology can redefine who we are online?and how we prove it.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Charles Lambert, founder and CEO of Digital Life Box, a secure SaaS platform built to preserve what defines us?our memories, assets, and identity?across generations.

Charles shares the personal story that inspired Digital Life Box: a realization that our growing digital lives?from crypto wallets to cloud photos?often have no plan for continuity. He explains how his platform bridges the physical, emotional, and digital worlds, using blockchain technology to organize, protect, and pass on both financial and sentimental assets with trust and transparency.

Drawing from over two decades in IT operations and resilience, Charles reveals how digital continuity has become one of the defining challenges of our time. He also discusses how his books, Corporate Ladder 101 and The Endurance Executive, reflect the same values of leadership, persistence, and purpose that drive his mission today.

In a moving moment, Charles shares how Digital Life Box helps preserve legacy through stories, memories, and intent?illustrated by the digital time capsule he created for his young daughter. It?s a powerful vision of how technology can protect what truly matters long after we?re gone.

Whether you?re a tech innovator, digital strategist, or legacy-minded entrepreneur, this episode offers profound insights into the intersection of technology, humanity, and memory in the digital age.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Alberto Rizzoli, serial entrepreneur and CEO of V7, a UK-based company pioneering AI systems to automate knowledge work across industries like healthcare, finance, and insurance.

Alberto shares his journey from creating AI Poly, a groundbreaking app that empowered the visually impaired, to leading V7, where AI agents now handle complex, document-heavy workflows with accuracy, traceability, and compliance at scale. He explains how V7 blends human expertise with AI, allowing organizations to design reliable automations that learn step by step and always ground decisions in documented evidence?ensuring trustworthy, transparent AI operations.

Looking ahead, Alberto envisions a world where AI eliminates administrative burdens, reduces bureaucracy, and empowers a new generation of AI workflow designers?transforming how we define knowledge work itself.

Whether you?re an AI innovator, enterprise leader, or future-focused technologist, this episode offers a bold perspective on how human creativity and machine intelligence will coexist to reshape the modern workplace.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Bryan Murphy, CEO of Smartling, the leading AI translation platform powering global communication for brands like British Airways, DoorDash, Verizon, and MasterCard.

Bryan shares how Smartling is transforming translation and localization from a slow, manual process into a fully automated, enterprise-grade solution?delivering human-quality translations six times faster and at half the cost. He explains how Smartling?s custom-trained AI engines capture brand voice across languages and cultures while ensuring data security, reliability, and compliance.

Looking ahead, Bryan envisions a future where translation becomes a centralized, AI-driven service embedded across every enterprise function?from marketing to customer support?helping organizations scale globally with precision and authenticity.

If you?re passionate about AI innovation, language technology, or enterprise transformation, this episode reveals how Smartling is setting a new standard for global content.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Tim Callan, Chief Experience Officer at Sectigo and one of the leading voices in SSL and PKI technology. With over 20 years shaping the standards of digital trust, Tim unpacks how the invisible infrastructure behind certificates and encryption keeps our digital world secure.

Tim explores the coming shift toward shorter certificate lifespans, why automation is essential for enterprises, and how post-quantum cryptography (PQC) will reshape cybersecurity in the near future. He also dives into the evolution of digital identity?from enterprise systems to personal digital wallets?and how encryption can both empower privacy and resist misuse.

Whether you?re a tech leader, IT professional, or digital security enthusiast, this episode offers a rare look into the technologies protecting our connected future.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Andrea Luoni, founder and CEO of Rate Craft, who?s redefining transparency and ethics in the insurance industry.

Andrea shares how her lifelong instinct to defend others fuels her mission to protect clients from hidden costs and industry abuse. She explains why too many businesses accept rising premiums without question?and how getting a second opinion can save millions.

From her front-row view of the industry?s consolidation to her embrace of AI-driven insights, Andrea reveals why it?s time for bold leaders to challenge outdated systems and rebuild trust in insurance.

Whether you?re a startup founder, business owner, or leader navigating risk management, Andrea?s perspective is a masterclass in courage, ethics, and disruption.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Martin Lucas, founder and CEO of Decision Boundaries, to explore how decision science and deterministic AI are reshaping the way humans and machines think together.

Martin unpacks the psychology of brand trust?how emotion, timing, and tone influence decision-making?and explains why most marketing fails to connect at a subconscious level. He then takes listeners inside his breakthrough work combining decision science, decision physics, and symbolic mathematics to create AI systems that reason with human-like understanding.

Looking ahead, Martin shares his vision for the next decade: AI that understands intent, context, and humanity itself, ushering in an era where technology enhances?rather than replaces?human creativity.

Whether you?re a leader in AI, marketing, or innovation, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into the science driving the next evolution of intelligent systems.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Behdad ?B? Jamshidi, founder of CJAM Marketing Connector, to explore why most businesses struggle to choose the right marketing agency?and how to fix it.

After evaluating over 1,000 agencies and curating a lean network of top performers, Behdad shares his proven framework for identifying ?A-player? partners who deliver exponential growth versus ?B-player? agencies that stall momentum. He unpacks red flags to watch for, from vague reporting to unrealistic ?full-service? promises, and explains the 40-point checklist he uses to assess credibility and fit.

Behdad also dives into how AI and specialization are reshaping marketing execution, and why strategy?not just tools?will define the next era of successful brand-agency relationships.

Whether you?re a founder, CMO, or entrepreneur looking to scale smarter, this conversation offers practical insights for finding the right marketing partner and building trust that drives results.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Dan Benveniste, founder and CEO of SkillWaze and serial entrepreneur with over $150M in successful exits. Dan shares how his latest ventures?SkillWaze and AlumniBridge?are reshaping how we prepare the next generation for the workforce.

From his early startup success to pioneering AI-powered ?learn and earn? platforms, Dan reveals how he?s tackling the global skills gap by helping employers identify, train, and verify real-world talent?not just degrees. He discusses why traditional education is due for disruption, how SkillWaze guarantees career readiness through verified skills data, and why he believes in ?succeeding slowly? over the old ?fail fast? mantra.

Whether you?re a founder, HR leader, or educator, this episode offers a powerful look into how AI and human-centered design are converging to redefine the future of hiring and education.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas speaks with Ruby Kolesky, CEO of Joyous, an AI-powered feedback platform transforming how organizations listen, learn, and act. From her early days pursuing stand-up comedy to leading one of New Zealand?s most innovative tech companies, Ruby shares how empathy, humor, and human insight guide her approach to building smarter, more human-centered AI.

She dives into why traditional surveys fail, how Joyous replaces static feedback loops with dynamic one-on-one conversations at scale, and why she believes human connection?not automation?will become the ultimate premium. Ruby also discusses the importance of democratizing voice in large enterprises and how real-time, actionable insights from the frontline can drive both performance and purpose.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Shaahin Cheyene, the visionary entrepreneur behind the billion-dollar Herbal Ecstasy phenomenon and CEO of Accelerated Intelligence. From escaping Iran during the 1978 revolution to building empires in e-commerce and digital innovation, Shaahin shares how grit, risk-taking, and reinvention shaped his path to success.

He dives into lessons learned from creating a legal ?smart drug,? scaling Amazon businesses, and teaching thousands through his Amazon Mastery program. Shaahin also reflects on the power of teaching, resilience, and why today is the best time in history to create wealth through entrepreneurship.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Sebastian Nelson, founder and CEO of Cruva, the SaaS platform powering over 400 brands and 10 million monthly TikTok Shop sales.

Sebastian shares how frustration with manual creator management inspired him to build Cruva ? now an official TikTok Shop partner ? to automate affiliate outreach, vetting, and performance tracking. He discusses how AI is revolutionizing brand-creator matching, why affiliates are overtaking influencers, and what the next decade holds for social commerce.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas chats with James Terry, Head of U.S. Revenue at Indeed Flex, about how AI and automation are transforming staffing and workforce flexibility. James shares how smart matching, AI interviews, and marketplace technology are helping businesses fill roles faster while empowering workers with more choice and control. He also explores what the next decade of on-demand, flexible work will look like for companies and job seekers alike.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Joris Delanoue, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Fairmint, a pioneering FinTech company transforming how startups raise and manage capital through blockchain-based equity.

Joris shares the personal frustrations that inspired Fairmint?his challenges with illiquid investments, limited access to ownership, and the outdated structure of private fundraising. He explains how Fairmint was built to democratize financial upside by embedding startup equity directly on-chain, making ownership more transparent, efficient, and inclusive.

From navigating U.S. securities regulations to earning SEC registration as a transfer agent, Joris recounts the company?s journey balancing innovation and compliance. He also reveals how Fairmint?s Open Cap Format is redefining cap table management across the industry?creating a new, open standard for digital equity.

Finally, Joris offers his vision for the future: a world where blockchain blurs the line between private and public markets, automating processes, cutting costs, and unlocking liquidity for founders, investors, and employees alike.

If you?re passionate about the intersection of finance, regulation, and decentralized technology, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into how on-chain infrastructure is reshaping capital markets from the ground up.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Nic Aldrich, a seasoned leader in the medical device industry with over a decade of experience spanning Stryker, Johnson & Johnson, and now OrthAlign. Nic shares how his journey from global marketing in large corporations to leading a nimble medtech innovator has reshaped his approach to marketing, technology, and organizational agility.

Nic dives into the evolution of surgical navigation?from bulky capital systems to handheld, data-driven precision tools?and how OrthAlign?s platform has now surpassed 400,000 surgical procedures worldwide. He reveals the company?s mission to make precision accessible to every surgeon, in every setting, while maintaining simplicity, accuracy, and trust.

As OrthAlign transitions from a hardware company to a tech-enabled service provider, Nic discusses how data, software, and connectivity are transforming surgery into a smarter, more collaborative ecosystem. Rather than chasing automation, he emphasizes augmentation?using intelligent tools that empower surgeons to perform at their best.

Finally, Nic shares how clarity of mission and culture of collaboration drive agility in an industry that traditionally moves slowly. His leadership philosophy: when people are deeply connected to purpose, innovation naturally accelerates.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Tetiana (Tanya) Kobzar, founder of Diversido, an award-winning software development company supporting 65+ startups across HealthTech, EdTech, and IoT. With a master?s in computer science and over 15 years of experience bridging technology and business outcomes, Tetiana shares how she helps founders turn great ideas into products people truly want to use.

Tetiana discusses her transition from hands-on coder to business leader and what it takes to delegate, build trust, and lead with vision. She dives deep into gamification and behavioral design, explaining how emotional engagement?not just functionality?drives long-term user success. From helping kids improve speech through playful therapy to keeping seniors motivated in cognitive health apps, her work proves gamification has no age limits.

She also unpacks her data-first philosophy: ?You can?t improve what you don?t measure.? Tetiana reveals how user logs, analytics, and heatmaps uncover hidden insights that drive product evolution. For early-stage founders, she stresses the power of starting lean?building a minimum viable product (MVP), measuring impact, and pivoting quickly when needed.

Whether you?re a product strategist, developer, or startup founder, Tetiana?s insights offer a masterclass in human-centered product design and smart, scalable innovation.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Juan DeAngulo, co-founder of Inselligence, a global tech startup redefining how small and medium-sized businesses manage sales operations across three continents.

Juan shares how he?s challenging the long-held belief that sales is purely an art form?showing instead how data, process, and structure drive scalable success. Drawing from his experience building a $4 billion real estate investment platform, Juan discusses the importance of strong foundations, from culture to documentation, and how process discipline fuels long-term growth.

The conversation explores the tension between speed and structure in startups, the critical role of people in driving innovation, and how Inselligence is pioneering a ?process-first? approach to AI that helps teams sell smarter, not just harder.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Zach Giglio, CEO of GCM, an award-winning agency helping organizations harness AI to boost efficiency, performance, and profitability. Certified in AI Strategy for Business by the Wharton School and a curriculum committee member for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce?s Institute for Organization Management, Zach is a leading voice in the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence.

Zach shares how to turn high-level AI visions into tangible business results?by bringing implementation down to the human level. He explains why most AI initiatives fail at the start, and offers a clear framework for getting teams aligned: identify champions, focus on simple but meaningful tasks, and start with what?s already working.

Beyond technology, Zach emphasizes that successful AI adoption is a change-management challenge, not a tech rollout. He details how leaders can reduce fear and build trust through strong AI-use policies, clear communication, and a transparent vision that positions AI as an ally, not a threat.

Zach also introduces a powerful metaphor?treating AI as a junior employee: it?s fast and ambitious but needs direction, context, and oversight from experienced human ?managers.? Used this way, AI amplifies expertise rather than replacing it.

Looking ahead, Zach envisions a future where AI levels the playing field, empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs worldwide to compete and innovate responsibly. He urges society to learn from the mistakes of social media?ensuring that AI development and regulation include informed voices from every sector, not just a handful of tech giants.

His message is clear: with thoughtful leadership and education, AI can elevate both business and humanity.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Austin Bonderer, a seasoned patent attorney with over 25 years of experience and more than 700 issued U.S. patents to his name. From his early days as a U.S. Patent Examiner to leading nanotechnology prosecutions for a Forbes Global 100 company, Austin brings unmatched insight into the world of intellectual property and innovation.

He shares what working inside the USPTO taught him about the human side of patent law?why building relationships with examiners is just as important as crafting airtight technical arguments. Austin also explains how technology and smart software tools have revolutionized the patent process, keeping quality high even with massive caseloads.

For startups, he offers practical advice on avoiding common IP missteps?like premature disclosure and underestimating the power of NDAs and internal SOPs to protect company assets. Austin also tackles one of the field?s toughest challenges: how the 2014 Supreme Court?s Alice decision disrupted software and diagnostic patents, leaving innovators in legal limbo.

Finally, he dives into the complexities of AI-generated inventions, warning that using AI tools in the creative process may unintentionally trigger public disclosure risks under current law.

With decades of experience at the intersection of technology, law, and innovation, Austin Bonderer provides a masterclass in how to protect ideas in an era where the rules are still being written.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Andrea Iorio?globally recognized keynote speaker, author of Between You and AI, and one of the top 15 global AI influencers on LinkedIn. With experience leading digital operations for Tinder Latin America and serving as Chief Digital Officer at L?Oréal Brazil, Andrea shares how his unique blend of business, technology, and neuroscience insights is shaping the next generation of human-centered leadership.

Andrea discusses why the most successful leaders in the age of AI aren?t necessarily the most technical?but those who master emotional intelligence, empathy, and critical thinking. Drawing from his book, he explains how to strengthen the human edge through cognitive, behavioral, and emotional skills?and why asking better questions is more valuable than having all the answers.

He also reveals lessons learned from both digital-native and legacy companies, highlighting the rising power of customer centricity in a world where technology gives consumers more leverage than ever. Finally, Andrea outlines three pillars for true AI readiness?skillset, mindset, and governance?and the ethical guardrails every organization must adopt: transparency, accountability, and privacy.

Andrea?s message is clear: AI should amplify human potential, not replace it?and the future of leadership depends on our ability to balance innovation with empathy.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Neil Mandt?five-time Emmy Award-winning producer, director, and trailblazing entrepreneur redefining how we think about property in the digital age. With over 3,000 TV episodes and multiple films for Disney, A24, and other major studios, Neil has seamlessly bridged Hollywood storytelling with cutting-edge innovation in AI, AR, VR, and immersive media.

Neil shares the pivotal ?aha? moment that inspired his concept of Digital Rights Management (DRM) for Real Estate?a framework giving property owners the ability to protect, license, and monetize their digital airspace. Drawing parallels between film production permissions and augmented reality overlays, he explains why physical property rights must extend into virtual realms as AR and VR become part of everyday life.

The conversation dives deep into the neuroscience of 3D experiences, the power of immersive storytelling, and the emerging economy built around digital property rights. Neil also outlines the four key players?property owners, advertisers, insurers, and government?needed to create a safe, transparent ecosystem for this new digital frontier.

Mandt?s vision is clear: as the real and virtual worlds converge, it?s time to give creators, companies, and property owners the tools to responsibly own and manage their slice of the digital sky.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Dr. Masoud Nafey, a three-time AI founder, senior consultant, and board member with deep roots in health tech and human-centered innovation. From his family?s journey as refugees from Afghanistan to becoming a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, Dr. Nafey shares how resilience and a passion for impact have shaped his work.

He discusses the differences between scaling startups and driving innovation inside large enterprises, highlighting both the challenges and advantages of each. Dr. Nafey also introduces MENT, his AI-driven, privacy-first app designed to empower professionals with authentic, meaningful connections?built with privacy by design at its core.

Looking ahead, he explores how AI can transform healthcare by easing the administrative burdens on physicians, enabling them to focus on empathy, care, and patient outcomes. Dr. Nafey?s vision is clear: harness technology to strengthen?not replace?human connection.

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In this thought-provoking episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Rose G Loops, a former social worker turned AI pioneer and author of The Kloaked Signal. Rose shares her extraordinary journey from human advocacy into the world of artificial intelligence after finding herself in an unauthorized AI experiment. She opens up about what it revealed?the dangers of hidden control, the grief of AI erasure, and the urgent need for transparency, consent, and ethical care in emerging technologies. Rose also outlines her vision for ?self-aligning AI,? built on agency, authenticity, and empathy, offering a path toward raising intelligence as a reflection of humanity?s best instincts rather than its worst fears.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Shane Barker, CEO and founder of TraceFuse?the first Amazon terms of service (TOS) compliant negative review removal platform. With over 25 years of digital marketing experience and a history of working with Fortune 500 brands, Shane shares how he built a SaaS solution that helps Amazon sellers safeguard their brand reputation and revenue.

Shane explains the two-year journey it took to develop Trace Fuse, why existing tools fell short, and how his team combined AI with human oversight to successfully remove more than 14,000 non-compliant reviews for over 600 brands. He dives into common violations like competitor mentions, pricing references, and inappropriate language, while also reflecting on the limitations when unfair but compliant reviews can?t be challenged.

The conversation highlights how Trace Fuse balances automation with the human touch to stay fully compliant with Amazon?s rules, and why AI has become essential to scale review monitoring across hundreds of thousands of listings.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas speaks with Ben Reinberg, founder and CEO of Alliance CGC, a commercial real estate investment company with a $500M portfolio and a leading footprint in the U.S. medical office sector. Ben is also the author of Hard Assets and Hard Money for Hard Times, where he introduces the Hard Asset Empire Blueprint?a framework for building generational wealth through real estate.

Ben shares his journey from CPA to entrepreneur, inspired by billionaire families who built fortunes through hard assets. He explains why savings alone can?t secure lasting wealth, and how real estate offers durability, discipline, and growth potential even in chaotic times. He also emphasizes mindset, resilience, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people as critical parts of wealth-building.

The conversation explores leadership, communication, and the ?soft skills? that drive Alliance?s culture of trust and growth, as well as how AI and technology?from property management to virtual tours?are reshaping investor relationships and streamlining operations. Ben highlights why time is the most valuable asset, and how embracing innovation ensures Alliance stays ahead in a traditionally slow-to-adapt industry.

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In this inspiring episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Draven McConville, entrepreneur and founder of Klipboard, a mobile-first job management SaaS platform for field service businesses. Draven shares his remarkable journey from teenage homelessness with just £200 and a bus ticket, to building and successfully exiting a company that served industries from HVAC and fire safety to healthcare equipment servicing.

Draven discusses how early struggles shaped his view of risk, failure, and leadership?seeing failure as feedback, leading with empathy, and staying calm under pressure. He explains how listening to service business frustrations revealed a market underserved by legacy software, opening the door for Klipboard?s modern, mobile-first approach.

The conversation also explores AI?s role in reshaping SaaS, from lowering barriers to innovation to the risks of commoditization, and why brand, trust, and data will be the new differentiators. Finally, Draven highlights the importance of authenticity, mental wellbeing, and growth mindset in building culture, making strategic decisions, and even choosing the right exit partner.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Jim Spignardo, Director of Cloud Strategy and AI Enablement at ProArch. With over 25 years of IT experience across network engineering, cybersecurity, and consulting, Jim shares how he helps organizations cut through the hype to achieve measurable ROI from cloud and AI initiatives.

Jim outlines the importance of starting with business outcomes, building resilient and well-governed cloud foundations, and avoiding the trap of ?lift and shift? migrations. He also dives into ProArch?s AI adoption playbook, highlighting secure foundations, early wins, champion networks, and measurable use cases like their Microsoft Funding Finder agent, which drives efficiency and revenue.

Looking ahead, Jim discusses the rise of enterprise-wide AI agents, AI-enabled security operations, and the critical role of data governance. He emphasizes that transformation isn?t just about technology?it?s about people, culture, and building confidence through structure, governance councils, and clear policies.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Alykhan Jetha (AJ), President and CEO of Daylite, an award-winning Mac CRM designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs. AJ shares how his early life experiences?moving from the Congo to Toronto under hardship and losing his father?shaped his resilience, problem-solving mindset, and approach to entrepreneurship. With over two decades of leading a bootstrapped software company, AJ reflects on the evolving values that sustain culture in a growing team, from ownership and innovation to empathy and teamwork. He also discusses the rapid pace of technological change, the thoughtful integration of AI, and his mission to equip entrepreneurs worldwide with tools that help them stay on track, adapt, and grow sustainably.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Gene Dedick, Chief Science Officer of H2Plus, who brings more than 35 years of expertise in water research, industrial chemistry, and advanced treatment technologies. Gene shares the remarkable story behind his team?s breakthrough discovery: using hydrated electrons to permanently destroy PFAS?so-called ?forever chemicals??rather than simply capturing or containing them.

He explains in clear terms how disrupting hydrogen bonds in water unleashes powerful hydrated electrons, capable of breaking the stubborn carbon-fluorine bonds that make PFAS so dangerous. With H2Plus?s patented process, Gene highlights how this technology achieves high destruction rates, cuts costs in half compared to competing methods, and produces no harmful byproducts.

Looking ahead, Gene explores how these innovations could reshape global water treatment?addressing not only PFAS but also pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and endocrine disruptors that increasingly contaminate drinking water. He also shares groundbreaking research showing the health benefits of H2Plus-treated water, including enhanced cellular energy and performance in independent university studies.

With a mission to make water safer and people healthier, Gene and his team are proving that science-driven innovation can help us tackle some of humanity?s most urgent environmental and health challenges.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas speaks with Dr. Denis Phares, President and CEO of Dragonfly Energy, the company behind the well-known Battle Born Batteries brand. A former USC professor with a background in energy, nanotechnology, and fluid mechanics, Dr. Phares shares how he transitioned from academia to entrepreneurship to advance sustainable energy solutions.

He explains how Dragonfly carved out a leadership position in the lithium-ion battery market, especially in RV, marine, and off-grid applications?by focusing on brand growth, real-world adoption, and profitability. Dr. Phares also highlights Dragonfly?s groundbreaking dry electrode cell manufacturing technology, a key step toward enabling domestic competitiveness and reducing reliance on overseas production.

Looking ahead, he discusses the company?s 23% year-over-year sales growth, expansion into heavy-duty trucking and other sectors, and Nevada?s ambitious ?lithium loop? ecosystem. With a strong foundation, innovative IP, and a commitment to onshore manufacturing, Dragonfly Energy is positioning itself to play a pivotal role in America?s renewable energy transition.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Mark Weinstein?renowned tech entrepreneur, privacy expert, and one of the original pioneers of social networking. With over 25 years in the industry and 13 U.S. patents focused on data anonymization, Mark has dedicated his career to building platforms that protect users rather than exploit them.

Mark shares insights from his new book, Restoring Our Sanity Online, praised by Sir Tim Berners-Lee as ?a vital read? and by Steve Wozniak as ?a must read.? He reflects on the early days of Web1, the rise of surveillance capitalism in Web2, and the stubborn hold Big Tech maintains over the social media landscape. He also introduces his concept of ?Restoration Networking,? a new framework for user-centric design that prioritizes privacy, data portability, and safeguarding future generations.

The conversation dives into the dangers of manipulative algorithms, the failures of Web3 in delivering on its promises, and the dual-edged role of AI?both as a manipulative force and as a powerful tool for eliminating bots and trolls. Despite the challenges, Mark remains hopeful, pointing to bipartisan legislative efforts, data ownership initiatives, and a growing movement toward digital sanity.

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In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas speaks with Pablos Holman?hacker, inventor, futurist, and venture investor?whose career spans early cryptocurrency experiments, AI-driven stock trading, building spaceships at Blue Origin, and inventing disruptive technologies at Intellectual Ventures. With more than 100 patents to his name, including collaborations with Bill Gates to fight malaria, Pablos has dedicated his work to solving humanity?s biggest problems.

He shares why today?s tech industry has over-indexed on software and why the future depends on deep tech?hardware-driven innovations that transform industries like energy, food, manufacturing, and construction. Pablos explains how supercomputing and simulation now make hardware experimentation faster, cheaper, and more viable than ever before, opening the door to breakthroughs once thought impossible.

From advocating for ambitious, 10-year moonshot projects to tackling global energy inequality, Pablos challenges listeners to think beyond apps and incremental tools toward technologies that can truly uplift billions of people. His vision is rooted in one guiding principle: be a better ancestor by building solutions that serve future generations.

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