In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Brooke Brown, Vice President of Product Management at Relias, to explore how AI and interoperability are transforming healthcare technology. Brooke shares key product challenges healthcare organizations face today?especially around data integration, regulatory complexity, and workforce enablement?and how modern technology is helping clinicians and administrators make better, faster decisions.

She explains where AI is delivering immediate value, particularly in surfacing regulatory changes, reducing compliance risk, and improving operational efficiency, while emphasizing the importance of keeping humans in the loop for patient safety and trust. Brooke also discusses how product leaders balance speed, compliance, and quality in highly regulated environments and how AI-driven decision support can empower experts rather than replace them.

Looking ahead, Brooke outlines how AI, data interoperability, and product-led innovation will reshape healthcare delivery over the next decade?accelerating precision medicine, improving outcomes, and addressing staffing shortages. This conversation offers a forward-looking view of how healthcare organizations can harness technology to deliver safer, smarter, and more resilient care.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, Brian Thomas speaks with Paul Breitenbach, CEO and founder of r4 Technologies and a Priceline co-founder, about turning data into real-time decisions at scale. Paul shares how predictive analytics transformed travel commerce, why enterprises should augment?not replace?legacy systems, and the biggest mistakes companies make with AI. He also explains why AI success is a cultural shift, not just a technical one, and how putting business users in control drives true competitive advantage.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, Brian Thomas sits down with Paul Neyman, co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Areti Health, to explore how generative AI is reshaping clinical trials, patient engagement, and enterprise sales. Paul shares his journey from software engineer to sales leader and explains how his technical background helps him build credibility and close complex enterprise deals. He breaks down what?s broken in traditional clinical trial recruitment and how AI can automate patient matching, engagement, and scheduling at scale?dramatically reducing costs and accelerating timelines. Paul also reveals what Fortune 100 executives really want to see from AI platforms, including clear ROI, compliance guardrails, and real-world proof points. Finally, he looks ahead at how AI will transform sales organizations and the critical skills future CROs need to stay competitive.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, Brian Thomas sits down with Matt Rouif, co-founder and CEO of Photoroom, to explore how AI-powered visuals are transforming e-commerce. Matt shares why images are the new storefront, the challenges of scaling AI creativity across billions of images, and how Photoroom ensures brand consistency and trust. He also reveals the future of personalized, AI-generated visuals and how creative workflows will evolve as AI becomes a core tool for commerce and marketing.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, Brian Thomas welcomes Cole Snell, founder and CEO of Real Private Credit, to discuss how AI and blockchain are transforming private credit markets. Cole explains the blind spots in today?s lending infrastructure, including trust gaps, information asymmetry, and duplicate collateral risks. He shares how automation, smart contracts, and real-time verification are reshaping fraud prevention, accelerating funding, and enabling programmable credit. The conversation explores the future of private credit, from instantaneous liquidity to data-driven lending, and what will define the most resilient lenders in the decade ahead.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, Brian Thomas sits down with Christina Snyder to explore how outsourcing has evolved from a cost-saving tactic into a strategic growth engine. Christina shares how global talent access, remote work, and flexible engagement models are helping companies scale faster, improve customer experience, and access specialized skills worldwide. The conversation dives into how leaders should measure outsourcing success, align talent strategies with business KPIs, and prepare for the future as AI and automation reshape global workforces. A must-listen for executives rethinking how and where work gets done.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Sheldon Arora, CEO of StaffDNA and LiquidAgents Healthcare, to explore how technology is transforming healthcare staffing. With more than two decades of experience in healthcare and workforce innovation, Sheldon breaks down why traditional staffing models have failed to evolve?and how marketplace platforms are changing the game.

Sheldon explains how StaffDNA?s real-time, transparent marketplace removes friction for both clinicians and employers, enabling faster, smarter hiring at scale. The conversation dives into automation versus human judgment, the role of AI in improving job-candidate matching, and how data-driven insights can help clinicians find work they truly love.

Looking ahead, Sheldon shares his vision for just-in-time healthcare staffing, where AI enables hospitals to match talent on demand?reducing costs while improving outcomes. This episode offers a compelling look at the future of healthcare hiring through the lens of innovation, efficiency, and human-centered design.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, Brian Thomas sits down with Nic Riemer, co-founder of The Invigilator, an education technology platform redefining how high-stakes assessments are delivered globally. Nic shares how the platform was born out of necessity in 2020 to remove cost, travel, and logistical barriers that limit access to education?especially across Africa.

The conversation explores how The Invigilator balances accessibility with exam integrity by combining smart assessment design with AI-driven monitoring that works even on low-end devices and unreliable internet connections. Nic also discusses the technical challenges of scaling to support hundreds of thousands of students simultaneously and how thoughtful infrastructure and AI-powered reporting reduce workload for academic staff.

Looking ahead, Nic explains how AI, identity verification, and remote learning will continue reshaping assessment, emphasizing the importance of protecting critical thinking while responsibly integrating emerging technologies into education.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, Brian Thomas sits down with Matt Edelman, CEO of Super League to discuss how trust has shifted from institutions to communities, why active engagement outperforms passive media, and how data and playable experiences are redefining digital monetization. Drawing on his leadership across global media brands, startups, and gaming platforms, Matt explains the power of interactive content, the psychology of play, and why owning highly engaged gaming assets is becoming a critical strategy for long-term growth and brand partnerships.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, Brian Thomas sits down with Igor Pogany, author of The Ultimate ChatGPT Prompt Book and founder of AI Advantage, recently acquired by Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi. Igor explains why prompts are the gateway skill to AI literacy and how finding just one useful use case can transform fear into confidence. He breaks down why so many people feel overwhelmed by AI, how hype fuels anxiety, and why mastering the basics?especially ChatGPT?puts you ahead of most of society. Igor also shares why AI should amplify human strengths, not replace them, and what skills will matter most as AI becomes more autonomous.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas speaks with Andrew Harrison-Chinn, Chief Marketing Officer at Dragonpass, about how technology is reshaping the modern travel experience. Drawing on his end-to-end leadership journey as CEO, Global Managing Director, and now CMO, Andrew shares insights on building brand trust, scaling globally, and listening deeply to customers as a catalyst for innovation. The conversation explores key friction points in travel?such as fragmentation and lack of transparency?and how digital platforms, APIs, and data can simplify complexity and improve access to benefits. Andrew also discusses the evolving economics of loyalty, where personalization, comfort, and reliable customer support now matter more than points or discounts, and outlines how data, digital identity, and seamless access will define the future of passenger experiences.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Dr. Neja Zupan, global energy master, international speaker, and founder of the Energy Masters Academy. Dr. Zupan shares her powerful personal journey of surviving aggressive, hormone-dependent cancer after being given only a 5% chance to live?choosing an unconventional path focused on nervous system recalibration, emotional release, and energetic alignment. The conversation explores how energy mastery impacts leadership, why burnout stems from internal misalignment, and how conscious entrepreneurs can stop forcing success and begin attracting it. Dr. Zupan explains how energy?not strategy alone?is the true foundation of sustainable health, business growth, and aligned leadership in a world of increasing pressure and change.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas speaks with Don Weber, former U.S. intelligence operative turned global communication strategist and executive coach. Drawing on more than 15 years in high-risk international intelligence work, Don shares hard-earned lessons on trust, verification, and reading human behavior when the stakes are highest. The conversation explores why authentic communication matters more than scripted leadership, how executives often miss critical verbal and nonverbal cues, and why baselining behavior is key in high-pressure situations. Don also reflects on the timeless leadership skills needed in an era of rapid technology, geopolitical tension, and information overload?emphasizing empathy, respect, and strong interpersonal communication as the true foundations of effective leadership.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Dr. Wendy Lynch, researcher, author, and pioneer of ?analytic translation.? Wendy explains why most data and AI initiatives fail?not because of technology gaps, but due to miscommunication between business leaders and technical teams. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience with Fortune 100 companies, she shares how asking the right questions, building trust, and providing context can dramatically improve decision-making. Wendy also discusses board-level pressures around AI, why AI is as much a cultural shift as a technical one, and what leaders must do now to prepare for the future of analytics and AI.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with David Mainiero, Chief AI Officer at AI Digital and leader of AI Digital Labs, to explore how organizations can move beyond AI experimentation and achieve real enterprise impact. David shares how his entrepreneurial journey?from founding tech-enabled companies to enabling AI adoption in Fortune 100 legal departments?shapes his practical approach to enterprise AI strategy. The conversation covers why many companies get stuck in ?pilot purgatory,? what it takes to operationalize AI at scale, and how leaders can balance quick wins with long-term transformation. David also discusses emerging AI use cases in research, strategy, and agent-driven workflows, and explains why leadership, communication, and employee empowerment will define the next generation of AI-first enterprises.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with David Sztyman, Chief Architect at Hydrolix, to explore how real-time streaming data and AI are reshaping observability and security operations. Drawing on two decades of experience across streaming, caching, security, and analytics, David explains why scale remains a constant challenge?and why traditional data warehouses can?t keep up with today?s real-time demands.

The conversation dives into the critical role of streaming data architectures in detecting issues as they happen, from video performance problems to active security threats like DDoS attacks. David also shares a pragmatic approach to AI, emphasizing how teams can use machine learning and LLMs selectively to detect anomalies without driving up costs. Looking ahead, he discusses the rise of AI agents, automated remediation, and natural-language access to data?capabilities that will make observability and security insights accessible to far more people across the enterprise.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas speaks with Dr. Ravi Kiran Nizampatnam, an internationally recognized expert in network security and enterprise cybersecurity architecture. With more than a decade of experience protecting mission-critical infrastructure across finance, healthcare, and media, Ravi explains how today?s most dangerous attacks no longer look like breaches?but like normal, trusted activity driven by compromised identities, APIs, and supply chains.

The conversation dives deep into what Zero Trust done right really means, why treating it as a product instead of an architecture leads to failure, and how organizations can minimize blast radius and contain breaches in minutes rather than months. Ravi also shares the real-world frustrations that inspired his cybersecurity patents, the gaps created by siloed security tools, and why context?not more alerts?is the missing link. Looking ahead, he outlines how AI, cloud-native systems, and regulatory pressure will reshape enterprise security, emphasizing that resilient, identity-centric architecture?not just smarter algorithms?will define the next generation of secure organizations.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

 In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Brian J. Esposito, globally ranked top CEO and founder of Esposito Intellectual Enterprises. With leadership spanning more than 115 companies and 200+ joint ventures across 25+ industries, Brian shares the core philosophies that have driven his decades-long success?relationship-first leadership, disciplined profitability, and sustainable growth.

Brian unpacks his transformational turnaround as CEO of Diamond Lake Minerals, revealing how experience, timing, team-building, and financial fundamentals fueled explosive shareholder value. The conversation explores how he identifies opportunities across diverse sectors, why his business principles remain industry-agnostic, and how structured diversification creates long-term resilience.

Looking ahead, Brian discusses the ?adapt or die? reality facing businesses today, the rise of tokenization as the next evolution of financial transactions, and why companies that ignore digital assets risk missing a major global audience. This episode offers hard-earned insights on leadership, innovation, and building enduring enterprises in an ever-changing market.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Ola Sars, Stockholm-based serial music tech entrepreneur, 2024 Billboard International Power Player, and founder and CEO of Soundtrack Technologies. Ola shares the core thesis that has guided his career for over two decades: the complete digital transformation of music production, distribution, and consumption. From co-founding Beats Music?later acquired by Apple and transformed into Apple Music?to building Soundtrack into the world?s leading B2B music streaming platform, Ola explains why businesses require a fundamentally different music solution than consumers.

The conversation explores the economics of music streaming, how value is distributed across artists, labels, and platforms, and why streaming is healthier than ever for the industry overall. Ola also discusses the future of music in physical spaces like retail, hospitality, and fitness, highlighting how AI-driven curation and personalization?not AI-generated music?will shape how brands use music to enhance customer experiences and drive commercial value.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas speaks with Hossein Berenji, owner of Berenji Divorce and Family Law Group, about how digital assets and cryptocurrency are reshaping high-net-worth divorce cases. Hossein explains why crypto is increasingly used?and hidden?by wealthy spouses, how cold wallets, privacy coins, and decentralized exchanges complicate asset discovery, and the forensic tools lawyers use to trace concealed wealth. The conversation also explores evolving digital asset laws, emerging legal tech trends, and what the future holds for divorce and family law as technology, wealth distribution, and social norms continue to change.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Ankit Chopra, Director of Financial Planning and Analysis for Cloud and AI Products at Neo4j. Ankit shares how financial planning for cloud, AI, and agentic systems fundamentally differs from traditional FP&A?shifting from static forecasts to dynamic, usage-driven models designed for volatility. The conversation explores adaptive forecasting, modern pricing frameworks, and how autonomous financial agents are transforming cloud cost optimization by accelerating insight-to-action cycles. Ankit also highlights the most common financial mistakes early-stage AI and cloud startups make, from mispricing to confusing scale with pure revenue growth. Looking ahead, he outlines the future of FP&A as an intelligence-led function focused on insights, orchestration, and critical business judgment?where finance leaders blend technical fluency with analytical skepticism to shape what?s next.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Olivia Walker, a nationally recognized communications and PR strategist whose career spans the U.S. Marine Corps, senior federal roles in Washington, DC, and advising today?s top executives and technology-driven organizations. Olivia shares how her early experience in high-stakes government communications shaped her people-first, trust-driven approach to messaging and leadership. The conversation explores what it takes to craft compelling narratives that influence policy, elevate CEO thought leadership, and resonate with fragmented audiences?especially as AI-generated content reshapes media and public perception. From earned media and credibility to consistency, storytelling, and the evolving role of PR, this episode offers practical insight into building influence and trust in a rapidly changing communications landscape.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Nick Spina, CEO of Denovia, to explore a breakthrough approach to plastic recycling. Nick explains how Denovia?s rapid depolymerization technology breaks plastic waste down to its molecular building blocks in minutes?creating new, virgin-quality materials from discarded plastics and textiles. The conversation unpacks why traditional recycling has fallen short, how advanced chemical recycling can be both sustainable and profitable, and what Denovia?s real-world ARC pilot is revealing about scaling globally. From tackling fast fashion waste to turning trash into a renewable resource, this episode offers a hopeful, science-backed look at the future of recycling.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Doug Stephen, President of CGS Immersive, to explore how immersive technology and AI are reshaping workforce learning. Doug shares why traditional training often fails, introduces the concept of ?scrap learning,? and explains how simulations, repetition, and experiential practice drive real business outcomes. Drawing on two decades of Fortune 1000 consulting experience, he highlights how immersive learning improves retention, confidence, and on-the-job performance?while delivering measurable ROI. The conversation also dives into AI-powered experiences, AR/VR, digital twins, and what the future of work looks like as onboarding, upskilling, and leadership development become more human, adaptive, and performance-driven.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Billy Huang, co-founder of CreatorFi and longtime innovator in data, identity, and digital revenue infrastructure. Billy shares how enterprise-scale data systems he built for brands like Coca-Cola and Under Armour now power CreatorFi?s AI-driven underwriting engine?unlocking fair, scalable credit access for creators, music catalogs, and gaming studios.

He explains how CreatorFi fills a major market gap by predicting future creator earnings, enabling non-dilutive financing, and supporting cross-industry monetization from YouTube content to Roblox game worlds. Billy also discusses the emerging landscape of creator IP, the rise of AI-powered production tools, and why the next era of the creator economy will be defined by accessibility, ownership, and financial independence.

A must-listen for creators, founders, and anyone building at the intersection of technology, finance, and digital culture.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, Brian Thomas interviews Esra Ozturk, Head of Product at Luffa, about how the company is transforming from a secure messaging platform into a decentralized loyalty and rewards network for creators, brands, and fans.

Drawing from her experience at Meta, Uber, Zillow, and Instacart, Esra shares the core product principles that have remained constant in her career?starting with the human, designing for multi-sided ecosystems, and establishing clear success metrics. She explains how Luffa is redefining loyalty by making rewards portable, privacy-preserving, and embedded directly within encrypted conversations.

Esra introduces the idea of a ?fan passport,? a user-owned identity that travels across creator and brand ecosystems, enabling fans to be recognized for participation, advocacy, and engagement?not just spending. She also outlines the major technological shifts ahead: messaging becoming the primary OS for digital experiences, identity fading seamlessly into the background, and AI powering intelligent, respectful fan-brand interactions.

Looking to the future, she predicts fans will expect to be treated as partners rather than audiences, and creators will need to own their relationships instead of renting reach on major platforms. Luffa, she emphasizes, is building the encrypted, portable, and interoperable foundation to power this next era of decentralized communication and fan loyalty.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas speaks with Brad Carson, President of Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI) and former President of the University of Tulsa, to explore how frontier technologies like AI and synthetic biology are reshaping national security, public policy, and society.

Drawing on his experience as Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Brad explains why AI is a powerful?yet potentially dangerous?force within the military and beyond. He shares what motivated him to launch ARI and highlights the urgent need for transparent testing, safety standards, and guardrails to prevent harms ranging from misinformation and terrorism risks to harm to children.

Brad also outlines the policy innovations needed to keep pace, including government?s ability to hire top-tier technical talent and more agile regulatory approaches that leverage both public and private sector capabilities.

Looking ahead, he warns that AI capable of automating most cognitive work could upend the social contract, challenge democracy, and redefine what it means to be human. ARI?s mission, he emphasizes, is to help society navigate toward the brighter future?one where frontier technology lifts humanity rather than destabilizes it.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Frank Palermo, Chief Operating Officer of New Rocket, to discuss how AI, digital workflows, and enterprise transformation are converging to reshape business operations. With a career rooted in software engineering, enterprise platforms, cloud, and data, Frank shares how his bilingual fluency in technology and business helps organizations ground emerging tech in real business value.

Frank explains why executives don?t buy AI?they buy outcomes?and how reframing tech initiatives around measurable results like faster revenue, lower cost, and better customer experience is critical. He highlights the common gaps enterprises face, including fragmented processes and poor data foundations, and emphasizes that modernization starts with workflow understanding, not platforms.

Looking ahead, Frank describes a future where AI becomes ?invisible,? seamlessly orchestrating workflows, enhancing employee productivity, and enabling human?AI co-creation. High-performing enterprises, he argues, will be those that move quickly but responsibly?governing data, investing in skills, and treating AI transformation as an ongoing operational mindset.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Volodymyr Panchenko, visionary founder behind Suntechsoft, Skins.cash, DMarket, and now Portal.ai, to explore how trust, communication, and emotional intelligence shape every relationship?personal and professional.

From pioneering digital asset marketplaces to building an AI engine that strengthens human connection, Panchenko shares his journey, his philosophy, and the life experiences that inspired Portal AI?s mission: helping people truly understand one another before the first conversation.

He opens up about the emotional toll of fundraising, the breakthroughs that came from improving communication clarity, and how early users are experiencing deeper, more meaningful interactions. Panchenko also discusses the future of AI in human relationships?arguing that, like electricity, AI?s impact depends entirely on how we choose to use it.

This episode is a compelling look at how technology can solve one of humanity?s oldest problems: miscommunication.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes serial entrepreneur and architect Jeff Mahony, founder of RYT, a purpose-built Layer-1 blockchain engineered for institutional-grade speed, security, and compliance. Jeff shares insights from founding and investing in over 30 companies across fintech, digital identity, and decentralized systems?and explains why most emerging tech fails when it tries to change user behavior or solve future problems instead of today?s.

Jeff breaks down why existing blockchains fall short for real-world utility, from slow finality and massive hardware demands to insufficient security and lack of regulatory readiness. He explains how RYT's Proof of Majority consensus, true parallel execution, and native zero-knowledge support enable high throughput without compromising trust. Looking ahead, Jeff discusses how compliant blockchain infrastructure will evolve?from national-scale deployments to cross-border regulation and true interoperability across chains.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Adam Hamadache, founder and CEO of Formula and ScorePlan, and one of the most respected voices at the intersection of AI, SEO, and hospitality. Adam shares the key turning points that helped him transform his agency from early hustle to a scalable, systemized growth engine?including the reset brought by COVID, adopting the EOS operating model, and ultimately reinventing the agency structure around senior talent and client growth.

Adam breaks down one of today?s biggest misconceptions: that AI search is just ?one more channel.? Instead, he explains how AI is fundamentally reshaping digital marketing, creating two new responsibilities for every brand?getting recommended by AI and shaping how AI interprets your brand. He highlights why online reputation, structured content, and brand clarity now matter more than ever as AI-driven platforms begin curating only four personalized results instead of pages of search listings.

Looking ahead, Adam explores a future where consumers rely on AI agents to research, filter, and purchase on their behalf?transforming how businesses must communicate, compete, and differentiate online. From the technologies that truly matter to the hype to avoid, Adam brings clarity, realism, and actionable guidance for leaders navigating rapid digital transformation across industries.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, Brian Thomas interviews Ashish Aggarwal, Co-Founder of AppBroda?a no-code ad network empowering mobile app and game developers to scale revenue without writing a single line of code. Drawing on his experience at Google working with thousands of developers, Ashish explains the industry?s biggest friction point: developers don?t want additional SDKs or code that slow apps, risk crashes, or violate privacy rules.

Ashish shares how AppBroda solves that challenge with automated, data-driven monetization tools now used by over 2,000 studios, contributing to more than $2B in annual recurring revenue. He breaks down what separates consistently successful studios?data-driven systems, adaptability, and access to capital?and how privacy shifts and platform policies have reshaped mobile ad economics.

Looking ahead, Ashish predicts a new era where AI enables anyone to become an app or game creator. He explains how no-code platforms like AppBroda will power this next wave of digital entrepreneurs by simplifying monetization for non-technical builders. This conversation is a must-listen for developers, creators, and anyone following the future of mobile apps.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with technologist, educator, and futurist Colin Cooper, whose lifelong passion for computing began at age 13 when he dismantled and rebuilt his father?s Olivetti 486. Now with 26+ years of global experience across 38 countries, Colin works at the intersection of AI, human behavior, and immersive learning?helping governments, universities, and organizations prepare for the rapidly evolving future of work.

Colin explains how public perception of AI has dramatically shifted, why most people still use only a fraction of its capabilities, and how over-reliance on technology may be reshaping human behavior. He breaks down the concept of immersive intelligence, the AI-powered, human-centered learning approach behind his company IXR, which dynamically adapts content to each learner in real time?closing the gap between traditional education and real-world skills like curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

Colin also walks through his FUTURE Framework, a strategic blueprint helping organizations accelerate technology adoption, improve digital literacy, and build comfort with rapidly advancing tools. Early results show major jumps in adoption rates as employees gain confidence and hands-on understanding.

Looking ahead, Colin shares why the next 24 months will define the next decade of innovation, highlighting key breakthroughs in AI agents, quantum computing, XR, holograms, and home robotics. While the ?Age of AI? is here, he believes we?re simultaneously entering an Age of Humanity?one where emerging technologies can elevate human potential if guided by thoughtful, ethical, and human-centered design.

A must-listen for leaders, educators, and innovators navigating the accelerating future of learning and human performance.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.