Tom Peters: "If Today Was Your Last Day"

Tom Peters: "If Today Was Your Last Day"

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

Arguably the first ever “thought leader” to make a tangible impact on the business world, Tom Peters burst onto the scene with the immensely-influential book he co-wrote in 1981: In Search of Excellence. A purveyor of what he calls “extreme humanism,” Tom’s career journey has given him a vantage point few can equal. In this episode, Tom returns to discuss life—and his new book, Tom Peters’ Compact Guide to Excellence, a collection of quotes he developed in collaboration with iconic designer Nancye Green.

Wagner James Au: "Virtual Reality"

Wagner James Au: "Virtual Reality"

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

When Linden Lab’s Second Life debuted in 2003, few anticipated just how much it would popularize the concept of the metaverse. That’s certainly true for James Au, a freelance tech writer who was hired by the company to report on the platform and its users shortly after its launch—by becoming an avatar within the virtual world himself. Listen as he recounts the early days of the platform, how it foreshadowed many of today’s toxic social media issues, and why so many have returned to it during the pandemic.

Rachel Chalmers: "Three Horses"

Rachel Chalmers: "Three Horses"

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

A veteran of Silicon Valley for 25 years, Rachel Chalmers is certainly at home in the world of tech—though her first home is continents away. As the Head of Corporate Services at AlchemistX, the Corporate Services division of Alchemist Accelerator, some of the world’s most innovative companies rely on her insights when charting their paths. Listen as she discusses how enterprises can stay curious, how to fight burnout, and what she means by saying she prefers gardening over strip-mining.

Shireen Mitchell: "You Can't Stop the Girl" Part 2 of 2

Shireen Mitchell: "You Can't Stop the Girl" Part 2 of 2

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

Shireen Mitchell is well aware of the issues facing minority women in the tech industry. Founder of Stop Online Violence Against Women, she fights to protect women from unrelenting sexism and harassment online. In part 2 of our time with Shireen, hear her insights on topics from ineffective social media abuse policies and diversity hiring practices to the marks of true allyship and the prevalence of disinformation.

Shireen Mitchell: "You Can't Stop the Girl" Part 1 of 2

Shireen Mitchell: "You Can't Stop the Girl" Part 1 of 2

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

Born and raised in 1980s Harlem, Shireen Mitchell is an award-winning woman of color in tech. Her story is filled with overcoming a number of challenges—the same ones she helps other women overcome. And she’s not done. In this first of two episodes, you’ll hear Shireen share candid insights on what women are still facing in tech today, revisit the early days of building BBS boards, and recall stories from her childhood that positioned her to be where she is today.

Kara Goldin: "I Won't Back Down"

Kara Goldin: "I Won't Back Down"

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

After leaving a career in tech to focus on being a mom, Hint Water’s Kara Goldin probably didn’t envision starting a new company just a few years later—especially in an industry she had no experience with. But as always, her curiosity and willingness to take risks won out. And it worked. In this episode, Kara recalls her early career adventures in NYC, what prompted her move to Silicon Valley in the 90s, and why being curious and trusting your gut can often be more valuable than straight experience.

Heidi Williams: "History Repeating"

Heidi Williams: "History Repeating"

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

When Heidi Williams entered the tech world in the 90s, she was mostly focused on developing the latest offerings from a major software company. If only things would’ve remained that simple. In this episode, Heidi recounts her experiences learning the industry’s business side in the most difficult circumstances, what it’s like to have a flagship product killed off practically overnight, and tips on navigating through substantial changes in a tech company.

Bob Alberti: "You Can Go Your Own Way” Part 2 of 2

Bob Alberti: "You Can Go Your Own Way” Part 2 of 2

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

While the ability to send data across the earth in seconds has completely changed our civilization, it’s also had some profound consequences that are nowhere near being settled. In this second of two episodes, Bob Alberti continues an enlightening conversation about the progression of the internet he himself had a key role in shaping and where it stands today. Listen as Bob discusses the difficulties of data security and combatting disinformation and closes by offering a helpful bit of career advice.

Bob Alberti: "You Can Go Your Own Way” Part 1 of 2

Bob Alberti: "You Can Go Your Own Way” Part 1 of 2

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

Ever wonder what the internet was like before it was, you know, the internet? It was actually more similar to today than you may think. Chat rooms, emails, multiplayer network games, search queries—those all existed in the 1970s. And Bob Alberti was right there in the middle of it all, helping to craft it into the version we all use now. In the first of two episodes, hear Bob talk about what computer tech was like during the earliest internet days, and how Minnesota was home to the original Silicon Valley.

Jenifer Daniels: "Hustle”

Jenifer Daniels: "Hustle”

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

Lack of diversity and representation has always been an issue in the world of tech—which led Michigan-based entrepreneur Jenifer Daniels to create Colorstock, a hub for original stock photos featuring people of color. Jenifer discusses launching her business and how its immediate success eventually created some unforeseen dilemmas. She also offers advice and encouragement to women and people of color entering any industry still struggling with inclusivity.

Rand Fishkin: "Start Me Up”

Rand Fishkin: "Start Me Up”

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

What if your plan for 2020 included launching a new (very cool) Audience Intelligence platform, just as the world unexpectedly changed under a pandemic? In this Season 4 opening episode, we welcome back Rand Fishkin, founder of Moz and co-founder of the new SparkToro, to discuss how SparkToro found innovative ways to not only launch a new product during 2020 but also help people and other businesses on a variety of levels in the process. Bonus: hear Rand’s top 3 ideas for what marketers should be doing right now during this crisis.

Tom Peters: "Til a Tear Becomes a Rose"

Tom Peters: "Til a Tear Becomes a Rose"

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

While this podcast is normally focused on the history of tech, this pandemic is truly history in the making. Listen as we welcome back Tom Peters, management guru and business author, who emphasizes the one and only thing managers should be focusing on now: people. Whether a business is facing layoffs, breakdowns, or just anxiety among its workers, Tom hammers home that our decisions right now will be etched in history—whether we like it or not.

Howard Rheingold: "Changes"

Howard Rheingold: "Changes"

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

We’re normally all about the history of tech. But today we invited our friend Howard Rheingold back onto the podcast to get his unique perspective on the coronavirus pandemic—an historical moment in itself. As the man who coined the term “virtual community” long ago, he shares his thoughts on online socializing and learning, and predicts how this virus might change the future of work and learning for good.

A Women's History Month Tribute

A Women's History Month Tribute

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

We honor Women's History Month in our newest clips episode. On the lookout for inspiration and strength during this uncertain time, this episode shares clips from 9 of our women and non-binary guests, sharing their experiences entering the workforce, times they’ve encountered bias, and their moments of uncertainty as well as resolve.

Dr. Kate Miltner: "School’s Out”

Dr. Kate Miltner: "School’s Out”

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

Is the hype surrounding the "Learn to Code" movement worth it? Let's look at this academically. Dr. Kate Miltner is a technology and society researcher examining the ways that tech, identity, and structural power intersect. Coming from a background in tech and advertising, Dr. Miltner conducts ethnographic research that digs into things we’re so close to, we may not even take notice. She’s taken a closer look at memes as cultural artifacts, and is now examining coding boot camps and whether the hype around learning to code is really the solution many think it is.

A Black History Month Tribute

A Black History Month Tribute

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

Listen in on this compilation of stories from the five brilliant black women in tech who have been guests on the podcast. We have welcomed scientists, developers, founders, researchers, and authors. In this, our first clips show, hear our favorite cuts from Jacqueline Harper, Sian Morson, Dr. Tiffani Bright, Paula Buchanan, and Dr. Roshawnna Novellus.

April Wensel: "Better People”

April Wensel: "Better People”

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

April Wensel has a powerful message for engineers about how to improve your own lives as well as the lives of your coworkers and the users you serve. April is the founder of Compassionate Coding, an organization that teaches emotional intelligence to software dev teams. If you’re already nodding, you’ll love this episode. If you don’t think it’s a problem, just listen to April’s perspective. She tells us two reasons why people resist becoming more compassionate—and one thing she sees that gives her hope.

Roshawnna Novellus: "Run the World (Girls)”

Roshawnna Novellus: "Run the World (Girls)”

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

Dr. Roshawnna Novellus is the founder and CEO of EnrichHER, a platform that allows investors to lend directly to any woman-led business across the country. EnrichHER is built off of Roshawnna’s desire to equip women with the financing, confidence, and community support they need as business-owners. Hear how Roshawnna fights the biases that surround women in a way that earns her this empowering song for her episode title.

John Levisay: "Johnny99”

John Levisay: "Johnny99”

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

John Levisay joins us as CEO of Bluprint, the “Maker’s subscription service,” an educational library for crafters and hobbyists of all kinds. His own career has been a creative journey in itself, from GE and eBay to founding and later selling Craftsy, to continuing on as CEO of its current iteration, Bluprint. He describes the flourishing startup scene in Denver and tells us how to create a culture of creativity and safety that brings out the brightest ideas from your team.

Elisa Camahort Page: "Just A Girl”

Elisa Camahort Page: "Just A Girl”

Melinda Byerley
Podcast Episodes

Elisa Camahort Page was in the trenches as blogging and social influence unfolded in the early ‘00s. As one of the co-founders of women’s media company BlogHer, one of the first places for women to spread their wings online, Elisa shares what makes for an ideal team of founders and advice for how to reach the next level in your career.

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